Meyler: Roy could sort out United underachievers

While Ireland international manager Martin O’Neill was non-committal on his assistant Roy Keane being linked with a possible role at Manchester United, Hull City and Republic of Ireland midfielder David Meyler believes his fellow Corkman would be well up to the task.

Keane has been linked with an assistant manager’s role at Old Trafford if Holland boss Louis Van Gaal succeeds David Moyes.

“I don’t know anything about it, I really don’t,” was all O’Neill would offer when in Dublin yesterday to open an all-weather pitch in Marlay Park.

Meyler, whom Keane signed when at Sunderland, was a little more forthcoming as he helped launch the FAI summer soccer schools programme at the Aviva Stadium.

“Do I think he’s good enough to do a job? Yes, of course,” said Meyler. “But that’s down to Roy.

“He’d sort out a lot of stuff there fairly lively!

“You just never know in football these days. David Moyes signed a six-year contract, a couple of results didn’t go his way, it’s been tough for him. He had to follow the greatest manager probably of all time. It was always a hard job. I’ve got to focus on Hull City rather than the new manager at Manchester United.”

And there is much to focus on for the 24-year-old at the KC Stadium, as Steve Bruce’s side look to secure their Premier Division ticket for next season before turning their attention to the FA Cup final against Arsenal.

“We’re not safe, by any means,” warned Meyler ahead of four “massive” league games to come, starting with Fulham on Saturday, before thoughts can turn to the cup final on May 17.

“It’s not just about staying up. We set targets to finish 11th, 12th, and that’s what we intend to do.

“Fulham will be a tough game for us, but we beat them 6-0 previously, so we’ll be looking to get another three points and put on another good performance for our fans, who deserve it.”

And giving those fans plenty more cheer in furthering his own career is Meyler’s goal.

“I want to push right up the league, play in Europe with Hull,” he said.

“We’ve got a great opportunity. We can win the FA Cup on May 17. If Arsenal finish in the top four, we’reguaranteed European football.

“The owners back the manager, he keeps pulling the pounds out in the transfer market and bringing in a familiar face in Shane Long, and Nikica Jelavic. The two have been fantastic signings for us and it’s great.”

Looking ahead to Wembley next month, Meyler, who scored in thesemi-final win over Sheffield United, is happy Hull are going in as underdogs, a point emphasised by Arsenal’s 3-0 win over them last weekend.

“It won’t make any difference. You’ve got to look at it as 11 against 11. It’s a cup final, it’s a one-off.

“They might have big players, but Wembley is a different occasion when you’ve 80,000 people screaming and shouting.

“The pressure is on them for not winning a trophy for nine years.

“You think ‘how can they deal with it?’ They might get a bit of cold feet. We’ve nothing to lose, we’re underdogs, nobody expects us to win. It’s a great opportunity and it could be a great day in the history of Hull City.”

Only then will Meyler turn his attention to trying to establish himself in the Ireland side during the end-of-season friendlies.

“It’s down to me. I’ve got to try and shift one of them so I can play,” says Meyler of those ahead of him in the pecking order for a central midfield berth.

“I’ve to give everything I can to get the opportunity. It starts with my club form. I’ve to be playing well for my club. I need to kick on in international football.

“I do have five caps, but I probably should have a lot more. I haven’t started a competitive match.

“Please God I’ll be in the squad. I need to kick on in these four games and put a marker down for the upcoming qualifiers). That’s what I intend to do.”

* David Meyler and Ireland women’s international Stephanie Roche were in Dublin yesterday to promote the eFlow FAI Summer Soccer Schools. See www.facebook.com/faisummersoccerschools