Qualification still on, says Kerr
“The sense of disappointment among the players meant you’d have to feel sorry for them. I have huge respect for them, because of the level of their disappointment when we drew in Albania and again against Russia.
“I don’t believe they were two bad results. I think a lot of people under-estimated Russia. We didn’t, we had no right to. We knew they had good players of a high technical standard and they defended with great discipline.
“But the players were hugely disappointed not to win and that shows the high standards they set themselves. I hope they are realistic standards, but it is a measure of their desire to get to the finals.”
Kerr refused to rule out Ireland’s chances of qualifying for the finals in Portugal when he reviewed the match after yesterday’s training session in Portmarnock. He said there were so many different possible Group 10 permutations that it would be foolish to venture a prediction. Ireland could still win the group if results went favourably, he said.
The wear and tear of the match against Russia meant that four of Ireland’s squad returned to their clubs yesterday for treatment - John O’Shea, complaining of soreness in a tendon behind knee; Kenny Cunningham with a groin strain; Lee Carsley with a knee strain and goalkeeper Shay Given with a sore neck and back.
He suggested that initial medical examinations suggested none of the injuries was of major concern but, out of consideration for their club commitments, the players were released. Another player, back-up striker Alan Lee (Cardiff City), injured a knee in training and his fitness will be reviewed today.
Kerr admitted the performance against the Russians was a disappointment and said: “We didn’t fire on all cylinders. We didn’t pass the ball as crisply or as well as we normally do, but the players gave everything they had. They kept going until the end of the match, so much so we left ourselves open a few times which was understandable in our desire to win the game.”
The game, he suggested, had not thrown up any issues that could be termed unexpected. “The permutations are that, if we win the game in Switzerland, then at worst we’ll be in the play-offs. We’ve taken on some tough challenges since we started and we’ll be capable of that one.
“There are various permutations which could leave us winning the group if we win the last game or even a draw could see us into the play-offs.”
He expressed regret that team captain Kenny Cunningham will be kept out of the game in Switzerland because of the yellow card he received against Russia, his second of the campaign.
“John O’Shea’s injury complicates the fact we need a new partner for Gary against Turkey tomorrow. We have Richard (Dunne) and Andy (O’Brien), both of whom are good centre halves.
“Richard has played in many major matches and done exceptionally well when you consider the quality of opposition he has played against - such as Portugal and Holland.
“Andy has been playing regularly in the first team for Newcastle and did well in the last game he played for us against Australia, so we have good options there.
“I am glad we have this game against Turkey. We had a big squad of players in here and I am sure there were disappointed people against Russia, especially those who weren’t even among the substitutes.
“We know for certain that four players won’t start and there is the possibility that one or two others who played against Russia might also miss out. I am sure those coming in will want to grasp the opportunity to push themselves to the forefront for the next game.”
Nicky Colgan (Stockport) will win his fifth cap by playing in goal in place of Given and Kerr also said that Joe Murphy (West Brom) would make his senior debut at some stage. Murphy won 14 caps for Ireland at U21 level and was capped at every level from U15 upwards. He is a reserve at West Brom.
He also said he intended to look for an opportunity to play Notts Forest’s Stephen McPhail in midfield for at least some part of the match. McPhail has been a regular member of the squad with Kerr, but has yet to play for him. He was capped consistently at underage level with Kerr’s teams.
Turkey will use the game as preparation for their important European qualifier against England in Istanbul next month and Kerr said: “Turkey have now become one of the top teams in the world and are ranked seventh in the FIFA table.”
Gary Breen, who was again one of Ireland’s top players, paid tribute to Russia when he admitted that they defended very well and frustrated Ireland.
“There is an opportunity now for some lads to come in and show just how hungry they are to get in the team. There are lads chomping at the bit to get a game and I’m sure they’ll take this opportunity.
“If you were to ask me if I was confident that we were capable of going to Switzerland and winning the game, then I would say yes in no uncertain terms.”
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