Rising star set to start in defence

MANCHESTER UNITED’S rising young star, John O’Shea, yesterday said that Roy Keane had been a fantastic inspiration to him when he first joined the Old Trafford club and he hoped he would come back to play for Ireland.

O'Shea, who has been a constant member of the United side since the start of the season, is in line for a first start at international level with Ireland in tomorrow's friendly match against Greece in Athens.

It would seem that the only issue that temporary manager Don Givens has to address is where he plays O'Shea, for he has had success right across the defensive line with United this season Already it is certain that Givens will give the Bohemians' leading goal-scorer Glen Crowe his first start in the senior team as partner to Gary Doherty and it will be interesting to see whether Givens will cause further surprises He again stressed yesterday that his prerogative was to come up with a team selection that would win the game despite the withdrawal of 11 players from his original squad. He said it was an imperative that Ireland put their recent disappointing performances against Russia and Switzerland behind them by winning here.

The withdrawals have left Ireland short of full-backs and they are especially short of options on the left side of the pitch. In contrast Givens can choose from a variety of centre-backs Gary Breen, Richard Dunne and Kenny Cunningham, who will again captain the team.

Givens might play Cunningham at right-back, where he has played most of his club football, with Steve Finnan on the right of midfield and if he goes this route then O'Shea must be an option at left-back.

O'Shea was clearly excited at the prospect of playing for Ireland in any position, even if he suggested that centre-back was his first choice.

It was clear that Roy Keane had made a big impression on the young defender at Old Trafford.

"We're missing him terribly at the club now" he said. "Roy's had a tough time with the injury. It is the first injury of its type that the club has had, his hip injury, so we don't know when he could be back. But we need him sooner rather than later. "He and Denis Irwin were two great figures for me and they showed in their performances when they played for Ireland how to go about it. They gave everything when they played for their country."

He said his eyes were opened as to what was required at the top level when Alex Ferguson first promoted him to the senior squad.

"When I first started training with the first team you realised what it takes to be playing in the first 11 week in, week out. You need to have a very high standard and you can't let your levels drop too far or else you'll find yourself out of the team.

"Roy showed what was needed when he was in the team. His was the first name down and to have reached that standard shows what high a level he is at."

Asked whether he believed Keane would play again for Ireland he said: "That's a question that remains to be seen. I'd hope he would love to come back. I think he would come back but as I left my crystal ball in my room I cannot see what is going to happen. But I don't see why not.

"Every time he played he gave everything for his country and if he still had it in him I'm sure he would love to come back and do a great job."

The withdrawal of so many of Ireland's experienced internationals offers a glorious opportunity for youngsters such as O'Shea, Crowe, Wesley Holohan of Shelbourne and Richie Partridge, the Liverpool player now on loan to Coventry City Partridge, a star at under-age level for Ireland, hoped a run in Coventry's first team would yield the same dividend for him as it did for Colin Healy a place in Ireland's senior squad.

Partridge and Crowe (former neighbours in Blanchardstown, Dublin) together with O'Shea, praised Ireland's under-age manager Brian Kerr and his assistant, Noel O'Reilly, for their assistance in helping them to make the step into senior football.

They were as one when asked if they believed Kerr would be a good choice as senior team manager. "Whatever they touch turns to gold," said Partridge. "Look at their success at underage and it is obvious they have the ability to get the best out of players. The fact that they have no experience of managing a club in the Premiership might tell against them but they have a proven record and they would be working with the players they brought up through the ranks. I don't see why they wouldn't be just as successful at senior level."