Leon’s ‘blessing’ as Trap eyes Best man for the job

GIOVANNI TRAPATTONI might not agree, but it is easy to understand why Leon Best described his elevation to the Republic of Ireland squad this week as “a blessing”.

The Coventry City striker has been fast-tracked into a starting role in tomorrow’s friendly with Nigeria thanks to injuries to Kevin Doyle and Caleb Folan but there can be no room for sentiment in the cut-throat world of international football, especially when the rewards are so great.

Best, like his fellow new-boys Sean St Leger and Liam Lawrence, knows that a livewire display at Craven Cottage could catapult him into contention for the serious stuff against Bulgaria on 6 June. For such a low-key game, the stakes tomorrow have suddenly become dizzyingly high.

In public, at least, Best insists he is merely happy to be involved. Trapattoni has a keen sense for the theatrical and his announcement of Best’s name in his 25-man squad was greeted with gasps, not least in Coventry, where the striker has been little more than a bit-part player this season.

The 22-year-old made just 16 starts in the Championship and has not scored since February 24. Even Best, whose self-assurance might just be the equal of his late Ulster namesake, was taken aback by his inclusion.

“It’s a blessing for me,” he said. “It’s funny how things happen. When you think you deserve a chance, it doesn’t come and then it’s a shock when you do get called up. I know there’s a chance there with Caleb’s injury so I just want to take it.”

Best has quickly become integrated into the Irish way of thinking: his first meeting with his new team-mates ended with him being challenged to sing a song, the squad’s traditional initiation ritual – “I haven’t decided what it will be yet – something commercial, probably, so people can join in” – although will at least be some friendly faces in the crowd.

Keiren Westwood, his Coventry team-mate, is also expected to be handed a first cap on Friday, while St Ledger and Eddie Nolan – fellow Championship regulars at Preston North End – can also lend support.

Best’s call-up may have come as a shock but, paradoxically, there is also a sense of it being long overdue. The striker’s name was being mentioned in dispatches as long ago as 2005, when he had already played for the Republic’s under-19s, although confusion surrounded his eligibility after he then elected to play for England’s U20s.

In truth, there were never any serious doubts. Best grew up in the Dublin suburb of Bluebell, played for Lourdes Celtic as a junior and regularly travels back to visit his extended family. His brother, Stephen, will be in the crowd tomorrow – just another reason to seize the day.

“I know there was some confusion about who I would play for and somebody in green probably had the wrong impression,” he said. “But Ireland always showed me a lot of loyalty and I’ll show it back now. I can’t wait for the game.”