Time for McPhail to produce the goods

STEPHEN McPHAIL will be given a glorious opportunity of illustrating his rich potential as midfield playmaker when Ireland play Greece in a friendly in Athens tonight.

The 22-year-old Dubliner inevitably attracts comparison with the great Liam Brady because of his relaxed and imaginative style of playing but if he is to emulate one of the most revered players to wear Ireland’s green shirt then he has got to produce now.

McPhail was hugely successful for Ireland at underage level when he and Damien Duff brought a level of skill to bear that helped shape Ireland’s football and steer them to World and European titles under the management of Brian Kerr and his assistant Noel O’Reilly.

But McPhail’s initial introduction to senior football was foreshortened by a sad injury. He returned after a successful debut under Mick McCarthy in America in the Summer of 2000 only to immediately to go under the surgeon’s knife for an Achilles problem and lose 12 months of football at a critical time.

Many observers point to McPhail as the one best-equipped to bring a level of sophistication and imagination to Ireland’s attacking play that has been lacking. It remains to be seen whether he can contribute to the defensive side of the game while filling the role of playmaker in chief.

It is a big challenge, one he recognised when he spoke yesterday of his pleasure at being given responsibility for playing on the left of midfield against Greece. He and the equally promising Colin Healy on the opposite flank can exert an influence that might alter the pattern we have become used to over six years of Mick McCarthy’s stewardship.

Said McPhail: “I’m delighted to be playing, it is a cap for me and I just want to impress people and impress whoever is going to come in as the new manager. I’m looking forward to playing, it doesn’t matter whether I’m left-back, or left anywhere so long as I’m on the pitch.” He spoke of the desire of Ireland’s emerging young players to make their mark: “This gives us all a chance to show what we can do and it gives us a chance to impress whoever comes in. He will want to see a tape of the last game and if you’re involved in playing then you want to make sure you impress him, so I’m just looking forward to playing.”

McPhail’s laid-back style has caused some to label him lazy. He has been accused of not working hard enough to recover possession once it is lost.

He said: “I always work on my defensive game. You want to learn from everyone and Terry (Venables) has come in and helped me enormously, especially with the defensive side and the tactical side of the game.”

McPhail said all of the players at Leeds were disappointed with recent results as they were determined to do well for the new manager and he had special praise for him.

“The new manager has been brilliant with me.

“The first day at pre-season he got us all together and he’s helped a lot of the young lads, telling us how to cope with things and with different tactical things.”