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.