Baker finding his feet in the US

Former Shelbourne star Richie Baker has been given a vote of confidence as he struggles to launch his Major League Soccer career in the United States.

Chances have been limited to late subsititute appearances for the Irish midfielder since crossing the Atlantic to join Boston side New England Revolution during the close season.

However, Baker, 24, got his first start of the season last night as an injury-hit Revs team travelled to Dallas Burn.

He played 89 minutes in a 3-1 defeat at the Cotton Bowl and received backing from his team’s assistant coach Paul Mariner and former Irish youths midfielder Ronnie O’Brien, who now plays an influential role for Dallas.

Former Ipswich and Arsenal striker Mariner, who is assistant coach to ex- Liverpool defender Steve Nicol at the Gillette Stadium said: “Richie’s got a fantastic attitude. He works hard, he wants to listen and he wants to do well. He’s an ideal player for you really. His confidence is growing and our

confidence in him is growing and he’s going to be a good player for us.

“It takes time when you come to a new club let alone in a different country. You have to bed in with the players, with the coaching staff and everyone but he’s such an amiable lad and he’s part of the card school which is very important! I hope he does well for us and I’m sure he will because he’s got

all the ingredients.

“He’s got to bide his time, keep working hard and keep trying to do what we want him to do and he’ll get his chance.”

Former Middlebrough and Juventus player O’Brien added: “I know he’s not having the best of times at the moment but hopefully it will pick up for him and he’ll start playing some games. He’s just got to bide his time.”