Planning, plotting and priming

NOTTINGHAM FOREST'S Andy Reid and Celtic's Liam Miller are just two of the young players who will be given an opportunity to settle into Ireland's international team before the World Cup qualifying kicks-off in September.

Manager Brian Kerr stressed yesterday, however, that Reid, Miller, and others like them, need not expect to easily dislodge players of established international pedigree.

Kerr is an acknowledged believer in the old adage "if he's good enough, he's old enough" and has always shown a willingness to give youth its head.