Reid hopes to force his way into Stan’s plans

NEW manager, new leaf they say. Words that will be music to the ears of Steven Reid who is hoping to finally light a fuse under what has been a slow-burning international career.

It’s five years since the Blackburn Rovers midfielder made his debut for Ireland yet, for every great night he’s enjoyed in green, he’s missed another two. Sixteen caps is all he has to show for half a decade of service, a paltry return in comparison to say Kevin Kilbane who has earned 43 since Reid’s bow against Croatia back in 2001.

Though still playing for Millwall at the time of the last World Cup, Reid appeared in all three group games as a substitute and never looked out of place on such a grand stage. A regular spot with his country seemed certain.