Easy to Reid as Ireland draw confidence for new chapter
Reid was the shining star of a low- key encounter that saw Bulgaria produce a spirited second-half recovery after they had been outplayed in an opening period of Irish dominance.
The introduction of many promising youngsters helped Bulgaria wrest control out of Irish hands and they capped an admirable comeback with a blinding goal 20 minutes from full-time.
The result gave both teams satisfaction ahead of their opening World Cup qualifier games next month. But the proximity of those games undoubtedly influenced the approach of both teams and effectively depressed the level of competition.
Never was the term ‘friendly international’ more appropriate. The contest had all the stresses and strains of a stroll in the park.
This was not surprising for, at such an early stage of the club season, tackling was never going to be of huge importance. The game was contested with the sort of fervour you associate with an exhibition tie.
In consequence, it was of questionable value to Ireland’s preparations for their competitive games against Cyprus and Switzerland in a fortnight. And it would be wrong to read too much significance into performances, individual or collective.
That said, it would be unfair not to highlight the contribution of Andy Reid. It must be one of the great mysteries of the English football scene that his particular talents have not been offered a bigger stage than that provided by Nottingham Forest.
Such a wonderful player has looked at home at international level from the moment of his introduction against Canada last November. Slick, artistic and imaginative in his football, Reid represents the single most significant change effected by Brian Kerr in his 18 months as manager.
Reid is a substantial asset and in this environment he was exceptional. He was so quick and so subtle, one felt he could catch a weasel.
Add to this his natural elusiveness, ability to see the bigger picture and deliver an effective pass and it is easy to suggest he looks a complete player.
His value to Ireland is further enhanced by his versatility, for he has served in a variety of midfield positions. And with Damien Duff playing as striker alongside Clinton Morrison, Reid sparkled for an hour at outside left before he tired.
Reid was fortunate, however, to register his first goal in this, his eighth appearance. It arrived in unpredictable circumstances in the 15th minute after a bright and positive start from Ireland. They won a free wide on the right and 35 yards from goal. Reid spun the ball across the crowded goalmouth, and it eluded forward and defender alike as it bounced inside the far upright. The goal promised an evening of rich entertainment and, indeed, the football was constructive and attractive from both sides.
Reid’s artistic contribution provoked a like response from Duff, and with Roy Keane and Kevin Kilbane controlling midfield, Ireland were balanced and full of potential.
As ever, however, there was a marked lack of penetration through the middle. Morrison laboured with will but without inspiration, and Bulgaria’s goalkeeper, Zdravkov Zdravkov - so good they named him twice - was largely untroubled.
Ireland’s failure to finish effectively cost them and, in a more competitive environment, might have been disastrous. While it would be wrong to judge Jonathan Macken in the 30 minutes of action he saw on his debut, the match served to underline the importance of Robbie Keane to Ireland’s cause.
Without him, they simply had nobody with the confidence to hit the target effectively, even though Kilbane, whose overall performance marked him as a very positive force alongside Keane, came through several times to threaten Zdravkov.
Bulgaria succeeded in looking more dangerous when they brought in a swift left-winger in Yanev, of CSKA Sofia, and a lively centre-forward in Manchev, of Lille, in the second-half.
They hit Ireland with a quick-fire hat-trick of attacks from the 65th minute and after Bozhinov had blown one chance wildly into the sky and Yanev had forced Shay Given to a superb save, they claimed their goal from the third strike.
It was a memorable goal, set up by Manchev as he held off Gary Breen to head a long clearance to Bozhinov in the 69th minute. The right-winger struck the ball on the volley with his left foot powerfully across Given and inside the far upright from 16 yards.
Given; Finnan, Doherty (Breen 46), Cunningham, O’Shea; Miller, Roy Keane (Kavanagh 63), Kilbane, Andy Reid; Duff; Morrison (Macken 63).
Zdravkov (Ivankov 46); Kishishev, Kirilov, Markov, Stoyanov (Topuzakov 64); Bozhinov, Yankov, Petrov, Hristov (Yanev 46), Lazarov (Manchev 56); Berbatov (Gargorov 46).
I. Brines (Scotland).
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