Kink: Estonia fearful of McGeady threat
“I am afraid of Aiden McGeady, not Robbie Keane,” said Estonian star and Middlesbrough striker Tarmo Kink in Tallinn yesterday.
“We know that Robbie Keane has been one of the best strikers in international football over the years and we will respect him. He knows where the goal is and he knows what he is doing. But Aiden McGeady is the big danger to Estonia at this moment in time. For me he is the main man in Ireland’s attacking system and style. He is also playing very well for his club in Russia. We will respect Keane and Duff but we will be afraid of McGeady.”
Kink may have just five goals in 57 international appearances for his country but Irish boss Giovanni Trapattoni knows he is one of the Estonian players likely to shoot on sight.
“Everybody likes to shoot, it is normal if you are a striker or an attacking midfielder,” laughed Kink.
“The trick in football is to score more than your opponents as we all know so you need to shoot and I like to shoot. What’s important is to hit the goal and not the cosmos!”
Expectancy levels are rising in Estonia ahead of the biggest football match in the country’s 20 years history since independence was regained in 1991 after the break-up of the Soviet Union. The Boro striker understands what is at stake against Ireland but he is keeping his feet on the ground.
“We are talking history here but I am not over-reacting,” insisted Kink. “For me, it is a very important game but it is not high pressure. I know what is at stake on Friday and in Dublin next Tuesday but I am calm — for now anyway.”
Estonian coach Tarmo Ruutli will name his team at lunchtime today with Kink certain to keep Red Bulls forward Joel Lindpere out of the side after his return following a two year international exile.
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