Ward: I’ll have no qualms if Trap puts Kilbane first

STEPHEN WARD says he will have “no qualms” if Giovanni Trapattoni decides to pick veteran defender Kevin Kilbane over him in the two crucial remaining Euro 2012 qualifiers.

Dubliner Ward has been waiting patiently for an opportunity to represent his country and finally got the nod for his first start in May and has since accumulated six senior caps but the Wolves defender will understand if the manager prefers the experienced Derby County full-back.

“I will have no qualms if he is playing,” said the Portmarnock native about Kilbane.

“He has got a hell of a lot of experience at that level but I will keep working hard and trying to play well at club level, with the back four doing as well as we have done, I hope to give the manager an option.

“He’s a fantastic player and a fantastic servant and I am sure he will be a good player for many more years to come.

“For me it is all about starting, getting involved and getting into the team. I was happy to get in the team for the last two games and I hope I’ve done myself justice but they are tough shoes to fill. He is one of the heroes in Irish football. If I can get half the amount of caps he has got, I will be very, very happy.

“It took a long time getting in the squad but I’ve got six caps already. I’m delighted how it has gone. I’m happy with my form at my club,” added Ward after Wolves, who faced Gareth Bale of Spurs at the weekend.

“Gareth Bale was a tough opponent and I feel I have dealt with it,” he said after dealing with the threat of one of the Premier League’s most promising young players.

Ward believes Ireland should now be confident they can reach the finals of Euro 2012. “We have a great chance now with Slovakia’s result doing us a bit of a favour,” he explained.

“Our two games are two we hope to win. The next set of games, when we go to Andorra and Russia go to Slovakia, will tell us a lot of what we have got to do on the last day.

“We are looking forward to it — touch wood I can stay in the team and stay injury free and be ready for those games.”

Not everything is going to plan for the modest Dubliner as he will not get to Croke Park to see his beloved Dubs in the All-Ireland football final.

Ward was at the semi-final victory over Donegal but Wolves have a game next Tuesday, so he will be training on Sunday when the match is on.