Doherty is Ireland’s flexible friend

TOTTENHAM’S Gary Doherty will start at centre back for the first time in an Irish shirt tomorrow night as Brian Kerr pledged further experiments in the challenge against Czech Republic at Lansdowne Road (7.30 pm ko).

Doherty, an ever-present in Spurs defence in recent months, will win his 23rd cap against the Czechs and, in the absence of several of Ireland’s centre-backs, will have a chance to stake a claim for a place in Ireland’s defence.

He has played most of his international football at centre-forward but may be about to shed his reputation as a utility player. The role of utility player does not appeal to most, but Kerr suggested he welcomed players who had the ability to show flexibility.