Robbie Brady due an upturn and is ready for defensive duty
The memory of setting up a goal on his qualification debut against Germans in October 2012 would have endured had Ireland not been six behind at the time, while 11 months later – at the same venue – he was left kicking his heels as an unused sub as Sweden ripped to shreds the World Cup ambitions of their hosts.
His 20 minute cameo from the bench during the cakewalk over Gibraltar in this campaign’s only home fixture won’t make the scrapbook either, leading the talented gem of his generation to eye this seismic Euro 2016 fixture as the qualifier he finally gets the chance to shine in.
“I’ve been around the squad for a while but, between injuries and other things, not played as much as I’d liked,” explained the Hull City wideman, pictured, yesterday.
“I feel I have a lot to offer in the qualifiers and for a long time after that.”
That the 23-year-old even made it to Dublin is a surprise, especially to his club manager Steve Bruce, who ruled Brady’s participation out following a calf injury.
“He’s got no chance of being ready for Ireland,” was Bruce’s assessment only a fortnight ago.
Perhaps it was due to the manager being unaware of how positive Brady’s fitness test that day went at Hull’s training ground while he was answering the question following a Premier League game at Leicester City that created the diverging opinions.
O’Neill was kept briefed on progress throughout by the player himself, making him the shock inclusion on the squad list unveiled two weeks ago.
“There was no way I was going to miss this game,” beamed the former Manchester United trainee.
“Although I tore the calf muscle, which could have put me out for six weeks, the first 10 days of rehab was crucial. I just iced the muscle, got back outside training and it healed. My first full training session was last Thursday week, then I got 15 minutes against Chelsea as a sub and now I feel fit and ready. Hopefully, the muscle doesn’t flare up now.”
Where the Dublin native could fit into Ireland’s set-up tomorrow is the intriguing question. Brady’s two-goal salvo from left-back last time out in the friendly against USA immediately placed competition on Stephen Ward even before the Burnley man suffered an ankle fracture in December that casts doubt over his fitness.
And while the primary rival for that berth yesterday expressed his willingness to fill in, it’s understood that O’Neill’s inherent caution, coupled with him valuing Brady’s threat in a more advanced station, makes him a candidate for one of the roles on the wing.
“Robbie’s made a really great recovery,” said O’Neill. “Obviously, I was concerned about it obviously when I initially heard the news but he has had no ill-effects at all.”
In a game where fine margins are likely to be decisive, Brady’s ability from set-pieces – arguably the best of any squad member – ensures he’ll be accommodated, if not with a start then certainly as an impact substitute.
“I’ve hit a few free-kicks in training this week but there’s been no indication from the manager that I’ll play,” he said.
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