Mr Versatility in right position

SAYS soft-spoken Steve Finnan diplomatically: “It’s a question for the manager whether I’m starting against Croatia.”

“He is,” interjects Brian Kerr, seated to his right.

So now we know what presumably he already knew. And it’s a welcome vote of confidence for the Liverpool player whose recent club appearances have come mainly off the bench.

“In recent weeks I haven’t started as many as I would have liked,” admits Finnan, “so it’s nice to come away and start a game. And it also helps keep you match-fit which is another benefit.”

Finnan dismisses as “just speculation” stories he might have been on his way out of Anfield earlier this year.

“There were quite a few rumours but the club never said anything to me,” he says. “I didn’t say I wanted to leave and I’ve been involved in a lot of games so far. But I’m sure there’ll be rumours again, maybe in January or at the end of season. And not just about myself but about other players at the club. If I wasn’t in the squad every week I suppose I’d be looking at trying to get away to get games. But at this moment in time that’s not the case. I’d like to start a few more games but I’m happy to be involved.”

Versatility can be either a curse or a boon for a player, depending on what a manager’s priorities are. But it seems to have worked mainly to Finnan’s advantage at international level, with the 28-year-old already able to look back over a career in the green shirt spanning 33 caps and an appearance at the 2004 World Cup finals.

“I suppose every player says that if they’re playing that’s the main thing, no matter where, especially in the qualifying matches,” he reflects. “I’ve played in a few different positions although obviously right-back is my normal position. But it’s one which I’ve not been playing too much for my club, so when I’ve played right midfield for Ireland it’s not been too foreign to me.”

Having come on as a substitute for Stephen Carr in this year’s opening qualifier against Cyprus, Finnan has been an ever-present for Ireland in the Group 4 campaign. And for Brian Kerr, the player’s multi-faceted performances have been exactly what the tactician ordered.

“After the last campaign I said we needed to change some things about the team and freshen it up around the pitch,” the manager commented. “The summer games gave me that opportunity and Steve played very well. It was a tough little spell of matches against good opposition.

“For the first qualifier against Cyprus, it was a hard call whether to start him but then he did come into the team. He was playing regularly for Liverpool at that stage of the season and playing a fair bit on the right side of midfield. I thought he played quite well in Switzerland and for the French game I didn’t have any doubt that he could do the job. The fact that he was playing on the right side for his club suited us and, in Paris, I thought he was part of an outstanding performance. Then he played in couple of positions in the match against the Faroes. So whatever position he’s played in, he’s done very well. I also think his club form has been good when he’s played in the team - I don’t think he’s really missed that many matches for Liverpool.”

For Kerr, there’s no downside to Finnan’s billing as Mr Versatility.

“I think his versatility is a good thing for us. And for him. I’ve said this before: that we want a team that’s able to adapt to different situations. We’re not always going to have all the players available that we’d like. It’s cost us in the past - it cost us in Switzerland last year. This time out, whenever we’ve been a little bit short, we’ve been able to slot someone in there who’s well capable of doing that. And Steve has a lot of experience.”

Indeed, as a World Cup veteran, Finnan - although still remarkably boyish-looking - must now be counted as one of the senior figures in the squad.

“There’s obviously a lot of new faces who’ve come in, but it takes a few years to bed down and get your experience,” he agrees. “So hopefully I can give a bit back to the squad over the next few years, especially with the good start we’ve had in the campaign. And after getting to the World Cup finals before, I’d love the chance to do it again.”