McPhail hopes to go from B to A

FROM their slightly elevated training pitch, the Ireland ‘B’ squad had the luxury of looking down on the ‘A’ team at Gannon Park in Malahide yesterday, but Stephen McPhail admits that he would love the chance to look the senior boys in the eye again.

“Ask any player in the ‘B’ squad,” he says. “They’d like to be involved in the first team set-up and I’m no different. But if I impress against Scotland, hopefully I’ll get a chance of getting back in there.”

Twenty-seven next month, McPhail is the grand old man of the ‘B’ team which he will captain at Dalymount Park tonight (7.30). After winning the last of his ten senior caps in the 3-0 defeat by Nigeria two and half years ago, McPhail’s return to the Ireland colours is timely recognition of the new lease of life the former Leeds man is enjoying with a Cardiff City side currently topping the Championship.