We must findthe best and permanent spot for O’Shea
But is Republic of Ireland manager Brian Kerr really getting the best out of this fast-rising star?
Manchester United's bright young thing once again proved what a gem of a player he already is, when he clocked up another impressive display in the green of Ireland, as Kerr's side kept their Euro 2004 qualifying hopes alive with victory over a talented Georgia squad at Lansdowne Road.
That he did so from the left-back merely confirms his already well-known versatility. Having played all across the back four for Alex Ferguson during the Old Trafford side's march to the Premiership title and also in midfield at one point in their Worthington Cup campaign the Waterford man has proved his value as a utility player. But as the 22-year-old said recently, he needs to find his best position and nail it down for club and country, sooner rather than later.
O'Shea did little wrong last night against the Georgians.
His opposite number for the night, the right midfielder Vladimer Burduli, got very little change out of him, which must have been a relief after the grilling he received at the hands of his Albania tormentor during Saturday's second half. And the United man was often seen marauding down the left flank into attacking territory.
As early as the seventh minute he had ventured ahead of Kevin Kilbane to receive a pass from Matt Holland, and his neat ball along the floor to Robbie Keane gave the striker an early if unsuccessful penalty shout.
Six minutes later and O'Shea was showing off his aerial presence, jockeying for position inside the Georgian penalty box and unsettling defenders as a Lee Carsley corner was fired in.
He actually got the first clearcut chance of the match when, moments later and having stayed upfield, Gary Breen headed on a cross from the right, and with feet firmly planted on the ground to the left of the penalty spot, he sent a header narrowly wide of the keeper's right-hand post.
Those things O'Shea can do playing in any position, but the Irish really need someone on the left as effective going forward as Stephen Carr is on the right. But any cursory comparison of the attacking merits of Carr and O'Shea underlines the difference between a world-class full-back and a player merely filling in the role.
Carr gets forward with far more ease and speed, offering Kerr another attacking option with the variety, accuracy and speed of his crossing.
O'Shea is understandably more conservative going forward his audacious nutmegging of Real Madrid's Figo in the Champions League aside.
That is not to denigrate O'Shea. Far from it. He has a cool head, a quick brain and good feet.
Sometimes too good, as when he galloped down the left late in the first half and back-heeled the ball in mid-flight when he reached the halfway line. It may have been meat and drink for Ryan Giggs in a red shirt, but Kilbane is no Giggs, and possession was conceded, leading to a dangerous counter-attack from the Georgians, which called goalkeeper Shay Given into meaningful action for the first time.
Whatever Kilbane's shortcomings, O'Shea quickly made amends when getting out of trouble after finding himself boxed in.
Under pressure from Burduli, he turned tail, looked up and sprayed the ball across field to Carr.
Very effective, as was his entire performance.
O'Shea is a class act, there's no doubt. But one wonders what Ireland are missing from him in a more central position, whether in the middle of defence or in a holding role just in front of them. At 6ft 3ins, he has the stature to suit both roles, and his obvious leadership skills would be better served from there also.
"It was a decent performance, we know we can still do better," admitted O'Shea afterwards. "The crowd deserved a little better than Saturday. We are going into the final two games in good shape, and we should all be fit and ready by August," he added.
The other consideration is what Ireland are potentially missing at left-back. Ian Harte is a much-maligned player who has yet to fulfil his potential defensively. But then again, the Irish sides he has featured in have offered the Leeds player scant protection from the midfielders selected in front of him. And his obvious skill in set-piece play is another facet of play Kerr can scarcely afford to ignore.
What is important for O'Shea, however, is that a place is found for him that he can make his own for a very long time. His talents have to be harnessed more efficiently, before people forget just how good he could be in that central role.
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