Stephen Gleeson looks to make most of second coming

The second coming of Stephen Gleeson has been a long time in the making, but the Birmingham City midfielder feels he’s better prepared for international duty than when he won his only two Irish caps on a tour of America under Steve Staunton.

Now aged 27, the affable Dubliner admits that, the first time around, back in 2007, probably came too soon for him.

“I think so, yeah. I don’t think I did my best out there. I was a bit overawed — senior team, 18 years of age, with all these names around me. I’m coming back into the squad now and I’m more mature, I’m more confident in my own ability. I’d say it was great to go [to the States] but I’d do it differently if I had this head on me now.