Club, country dilemma for Healy

COLIN HEALY again showed against Finland on Wednesday that the only thing standing between him and a regular place in Ireland’s international team is his inability to win a place with Celtic.

Healy, 22, was in sparkling form for Ireland when he came on for the second half of their match in Helsinki and he is certain to be in the squad for the European Championship tie against Russia in Moscow next month.

Irish manager Mick McCarthy said: “I have always liked Colin and his approach to the game. I was disappointed not to be able to bring him to the World Cup.”

Healy, of course, was invited to join Ireland’s World Cup squad in Saipan when Roy Keane first announced he wanted to return home. This notice had to be cancelled within 24 hours when Keane changed his mind.

The World Cup aside, McCarthy has always stressed his admiration for players who are versatile and Healy certainly comes into this category. His first three appearances for Ireland early this year were all in central midfield.

Against Finland he was foot-perfect when he stepped into the wide role on the right of midfield, defending with resilience when appropriate and attacking with real penetration.

His first run took him to the dead-ball line and his cut-back to the edge of the penalty box at speed was exemplary. Robbie Keane was on the end of the pass for a shot that brought a good save from the goalkeeper.

“I’m well used to playing on the wing, I’ve played there often for Celtic,” said Healy yesterday. “I enjoyed it, I thought we played well.”

Healy has experience of playing at right-back as well with Celtic but it must be a huge disappointment to him not to have figured with the first team yet this season in a competitive match.

He was in the Celtic squad for the match against Basle last week but had a let-down when he was not in the team or nominated as one of the subs.

Healy desperately wants to make a success of his career at Celtic but after his successful spell while on loan with Coventry City last season he accepts he must make a breakthrough to regular first team football this season.

“If the manager doesn’t pick me then there is not a whole lot I can do about it,” he said.

“All I can do is to continue to work hard in training and to take any chance that comes my way. But I know I need to play first-team football if I am going to figure regularly with Ireland.”

Another up-and-coming young player who needs to make that vital step into first-team football with his club if he is to thrive at international level is Arsenal reserve Graham Barrett.

He has an even more difficult task than Healy in this regard for he has to cope with competition from players like Thierry Henry, Sylvain Wiltord, Kanu and Dennis Bergkamp.

Barrett played 45 minutes for Ireland’s U21 team on Tuesday before he was withdrawn by manager Don Givens to ensure he was fit enough to bring the senior squad up to strength the following day. He was delighted to be given his first senior cap 76 minutes into the match.

“When you grow up with ambitions of being a footballer you’re always thinking in terms of playing for Ireland and to actually score was fantastic,” he said.

Barrett was loaned out by Arsenal to Crewe and Colchester, where he spent four months last season gaining first-team experience. Just like Healy at Celtic he believes this is the season when it has to happen.

“The manager has given me plenty of encouragement and we had a long talk before the start of the season. I’ll be going in to talk to him again over the next few weeks and we’ll see how it works out.”

“It’s good to have a player like him coming through,” said McCarthy. “He is a very good worker and his touch is good. He has impressed me every time I have looked at him.”

Despite the lack of first-team involvement, Barrett has no complaints about life under Liam Brady in the

Arsenal youth set-up, saying: ‘‘Liam and his coaching staff have been unbelievable with me. I can’t speak highly enough of the club as a whole. I’ve had a couple of Premiership appearances and hopefully will get a few more but really that is down to me.’’

A bout of glandular fever cost him 12 vital months and although he enjoyed an encouraging pre-season, even the Irish coaching staff believe his career would be better served with a move to the Nationwide League.

Republic Under-21 coach Don Givens said: ‘‘He has been in the reserves at Arsenal for two years now, and while I have no doubt he will eventually become a Premiership player, he needs to step down into the

Nationwide to get the kind of experience he needs at this stage of his career.’’

Ireland’s fringe players contributed to a very effective second half performance against Finland. They soaked up pressure and broke to attack with pace and penetration.

Quite apart from Healy and Barrett, the game offered Gary Doherty (Spurs) and Stephen McPhail (Leeds) the opportunity to remind the Irish manager of their potential.

While it is certain McCarthy will field his most experienced team in next month’s European Championship tie against Russia in Moscow, it is encouraging to see so many coming through to increase the competition for places in the team.