Reid has score to settle after Tel Aviv stunner

AS the Republic of Ireland squad availed of a free day yesterday before reconvening this evening at their Portmarnock base, players have been reflecting on the experience of warming-up at Celtic Park for the real tests to come against Israel and the Faroe Islands.

To that end, Spurs' Andy Reid thought that Sunday's Jackie McNamara testimonial, which the Irish won 1-0, served a dual purpose.

"It was a brilliant experience, with an amazing turn-out, and I think it was a fitting tribute to a great servant of Celtic," he said. "It was nice for Jackie and the fans to see the likes of Henrik Larsson back in Celtic Park as well. It was a good day all round.

"But with the World Cup games coming up, it was also important that the lads got a run-out and I think everybody has benefited from it, including myself.

"Everybody got the necessary amount of football. I think Brian looked at it in terms of how much people needed and gave it to them accordingly."

For all the players, the World Cup games arrive at the end of a long season and one which, for Reid, was particularly notable in that it saw him finally move into the top flight after leaving Nottingham Forest for Spurs.

But the creative midfielder, who is likely to start on the right side as the Irish look to prise open Israel at Lansdowne Road on Saturday, does not believe that summer tiredness will be a factor.

"Not for World Cup qualifiers," he insists. "You're on that much of an adrenaline buzz with such big games coming up, I don't think it will be a problem for us at all."

He also reckons that the Irish have a score to settle after dropping two points in Tel Aviv.

"It's obviously something that we've learned from. To the end of the game you need to defend properly. They scored in the last minute and it was tough on us. But we'll make sure that they don't do it again."

Everton's Kevin Kilbane is looking to finish the season on a high note, having already helped Everton to achieve an unlikely but thoroughly deserved spot in the Champions' League.

"After the break, it was good for us to get our heads back into a match situation," he said after Sunday's game.

"It's a big week for us now. From the moment we all arrive in Dublin, we need to hit the ground running. It will be intensive from then on. The mood is good but then it always is with Ireland, to be fair. We're very optimistic that we can get six points."

And Blackburn's Steven Reid, now in contention for a right back role, summed up the bottom line: "The Israel game is one we're going into knowing that a win is really the only result we can look for," he said, adding, "and I'm sure we'll get that."