Kelly pressed into action with North End backroom role

REPUBLIC of Ireland goalkeeping coach Alan Kelly has joined the management team at Preston North End.

However the appointment is not set to impact on his international duties.

Kelly will assist temporary management pair of Graham Alexander and David Unsworth until further notice.

Son of the North End legend Alan Kelly Sr, he is well known to the club staff having spent 18 months working with the centre of excellence.

Starting his career at Deepdale in 1985, the Preston-born shot stopper made over 150 appearances for the club during a seven year spell before moving across the Pennines to sign for Sheffield United.

“I got a telephone call from the chairman of football and after speaking to Grezza (Graham Alexander) and Unsy (David Unsworth) I have started working with the senior goalkeepers at the club,” Kelly said.

“They have shown a fantastic attitude and I am delighted to have started work with the first team.”

The 43-year-old continued: “I have been working with Ireland for the past five years and using that experience with the young kids at Preston. However, it is great to be back working with the first team as well.

“The Republic have recently qualified for the European Championships next summer so we were not due to play again until February so it is great for me to be involved on a day-to-day basis.

“You do get a buzz when you train with the first team, how professional they all are and how they handle themselves.

“I am very impressed with the set up and I am delighted to be here,” he said.

Meanwhile Republic of Ireland are down one place to 22nd in the FIFA world rankings.

Ireland’s Euro championships opponents Spain remain top while Croatia and Italy, who are also in Ireland’s group next summer, are 8th and 9th respectively. Germany, who Ireland face in World Cup qualification, are third while Northern Ireland are up one place to 88th. England are fifth.

Top 10 rankings (last month’s positions in brackets) 1. (1) Spain; 2. (2) Netherlands; 3. (3) Germany; 4. (4) Uruguay; 5. (5) England; 6. (6) Brazil; 7. (7) Portugal; 8. (8) Croatia; 9. (9) Italy; 10. (10) Argentina.