Robbie Brady getting used to defensive duties
The Dubliner now looks like he’s a certain starter against Scotland in the left-full slot with which he says he’s growing increasingly comfortable after what he admits were “a couple of little cagey moments” in the 1-1 draw with Poland in March.
“It’s a different position that I’m used to playing at the club,” the Hull City man acknowledges.
“With the left-wing-back role, you’ve got an extra man behind you. It is a learning curve but, with little tips here and there, I feel as if I’m getting more comfortable with the position every time I play.”
It is not where he ever expected to find himself when, in 2012, he was called into the senior squad for the first time by Giovanni Trapattoni, for whom he made a scoring debut against Oman.
“No, not when I first came in,” he admits, “but in the last couple of seasons I have found myself in a more defensive role and I’ve actually quite enjoyed it.
“Hopefully I can get it right and nail down a spot.”
Even with his new defensive duties, he hasn’t lost his youthful desire to join in the attack — as his brace against the USA last November showed.
“I love to get forward as much as I can,” he nods. “Some games don’t allow you do to that. Hopefully, this game is one where I’ll be able to get forward and add to the attacking play.
“It might be the way they set up, or how they’re playing, or who’s playing – there’s a few different things you have to think about. And there are times where you have to be more defensive rather than thinking about getting forward.
“But there will always be moments in every game where I get forward. Hopefully when I do, I’ll try and make something happen. It depends on moments in the game and what’s in front of you. If there is room I’ll run into it but you have to be careful as well.”
The chemistry between himself and the team-mate in front of him is also crucial to deciding whether he stays or goes.
Against England, Brady notes, “Aido (McGeady) gave me a dig out a couple of times and I thought it worked out well between us.”
Between attacking, defending and taking set-pieces, the 23-year-old suddenly seems to have an awful lot on his plate.
“You have do to it,” he shrugs. “Everyone is the same, everyone has their own jobs. If I’m needed to do a few set-pieces as well as defend, I’m happy to do it. I practice quite a bit and hopefully they come off at the weekend. Of course, you can practice all you like all week; the weekend is the most important. Hopefully, I can put in some good balls.”
A bit like a certain Irish left-back and set-piece specialist of yore?
“Watching the likes of Ian Harte probably set me off wanting to take set-pieces,” Brady smiles. “He was one of the best ever with his left foot.”
On Saturday, the likelihood is that Scotland will have also have a Hull City man at full-back, Andy Robertson having been one of the stars for Gordon Strachan’s side when they beat Ireland in Celtic Park last November.
“He’s a great player and a great lad, attack-minded and strong going forward,” says his team-mate at club level and now international rival.
“It’s always good to have the competition at the club and I’ll be looking forward to seeing him at the weekend and talking to him after the match.”
So how does Robbie Brady see the overall contest going?
“I think they’ve a good set-up and have some good players, like ourselves. It’ll be a tight game, I’m sure, like most of the games in this group, but hopefully we can get our stuff right and just edge it.
“We knew this was the big one coming in. England was a good test for us at the weekend but that’s behind us now and we’ve a massive game this weekend. I think everyone’s preparation has been great and it’s one of these games you have your eye on all year. It’s not just that it comes around and it’s time to play, you have your eye on this one all year. We’ll be pulling out all the stops and hopefully we can make it a good one and get the three points.”
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