McGeady ready to lift U21s

HAVING played in Ireland’s last two senior games under Brian Kerr, Celtic’s Aiden McGeady insists he is ready to push as hard for the Ireland U21s when they take on Israel in a make or break European Championship game on Friday.

The last time Ireland played against Portugal at Lansdowne Road in early February the young Glasgow man replaced Roy Keane after 82 minutes to earn his third senior cap, but he is likely to be handed a full hour and a half by Don Givens for the clash at Tel Aviv's Herzelia Stadium.

"I'm just trying to get another 90 minutes under my belt, earn another cap and get a win," said McGeady yesterday. "I enjoy playing with the U21s as much as the first team."

With the seniors playing their own crucial game against the Israelis a day later though, was the midfielder surprised or disappointed not to be called up by Kerr after his experiences against Croatia and Portugal either side of Christmas?

"I wasn't that bothered because Brian told me I probably wouldn't get much playing time with the seniors, which is fair enough. There's no point in travelling all the way out there if I'm not going to play at all.

"I mean, I was always hoping to be involved in the senior squad but I'm not that bothered. I've just got to try and catch his eye again now."

Givens will hope McGeady can reproduce some of the form he has shown with his club recently, especially his displays against Dunfermline and Inverness which earned him rave reviews in Scotland.

"Aiden is still one of the younger lads in this group of players," said Givens. "I wouldn't want to put any pressure on him. He certainly has the quality and hopefully he can do some damage for us, but he's still only 18."

Having lost to both France and Switzerland already, Givens admits that this is a game they cannot afford to lose against a side that currently stands four points ahead of them in Group Four.

The Ireland manager is already without Tottenham defender Stephen Kelly and Rushden & Diamonds' David Bell. Manchester United's Paul McShane and Kevin Doyle of Cork City have been drafted in as replacements.

Givens also awaits news on Jay Tabb, who featured for Brentford away to Blackpool on Monday night. Liverpool midfielder Darren Potter failed to train yesterday having spent the day in bed with flu, although he is not considered a doubt for tomorrow.

Should Potter recover he will line out alongside Sheffield Wednesday's Glenn Whelan in the centre of midfield with McGeady and Manchester City's Willo Flood patrolling the wings. Leeds United's Henry McStay is likely to move into defence in the absence of Kelly. The team will be announced tomorrow.