We should fear no one, says O’Shea
Germany enjoyed a pulsating World Cup, confounding their critics by missing out on the final after conceding two late extra-time goals to eventual champions Italy.
That run created a swell of national fervour not seen in the country for years and Ireland’s visit will be the first litmus test as to how much of that feelgood factor has survived the intervening weeks and the resignation of coach Jurgen Klinsmann.
“They did well. They caused lots of problems but I don’t think we have anything to fear in particular,” said O’Shea of the first European Championship qualifier.
“Going to the World Cup, Germany were supposedly not going to go too well. They were going to sack their manager and next thing it all turned right for them. There was never going to be a good time to go there — but it’s a great challenge to go there straight away and get the group off to a good start.”
Before that O’Shea and Ireland have an appointment tonight with the Dutch at Lansdowne Road. With the beginning of the Premiership season only days away, it could even be more mundane than the usual international friendly despite the opposition.
However, O’Shea was adamant that the get-together was critically important for the squad, considering the little time Steve Staunton has had to prepare his troops for the qualifying campaign.
“It’s very important because Stan hasn’t had too many games since he took over. Obviously we had the week in Portugal but we had the break after that and he’ll want to get his ideas across to us again and this game is a great chance for that.”
Staunton’s options have been severely limited by a rash of injuries to key players like Damien Duff, Shay Given, Richard Dunne and Robbie Keane and the absence of the Manchester City defender may see O’Shea drop back to take his place.
The Waterford man’s versatility is well documented, but that handyman tag has arguably stunted his progress for club and country and another switch tonight would come at a time when he finally seems to have declared himself as a central midfielder to the exclusion of all else.
He started 40 games for Manchester United from midfield last season and was deployed in the same role by Staunton for the Sweden and Chile friendlies.
Stephen Reid played alongside him in both those fixtures and, whatever the merits or otherwise of such a partnership, another run-out for the pair in the centre wouldn’t go astray. The last thing O’Shea would seem to need is another change of address.
“With the quality of players we have we can cope with it,” is his take on it. “You never know if these lads are going to recover in time for the Germany game. It’s coming around fairly quick so we’re keeping our fingers crossed that they can recover because we’ll need a fully fit squad going to Stuttgart.”
Wherever he plays tonight, it seems clear that Staunton sees O’Shea as a central midfielder and, despite the renewed speculation over his Old Trafford career, so do Alex Ferguson and Carlos Queiroz.
How much game time he gets is a moot point given Paul Scholes is also back in operation following his eye problem last season, but O’Shea doesn’t seem too perturbed by the competition. Instead, he welcomes it.
“I’ve spoken with Carlos and he said that midfield would be my main position again. There’s no worries on my part because the team is looking to make a challenge against Chelsea and you have to have a quality squad with cover in a lot of positions. I hope there will be more additions to the squad because we need it.”
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