Kerr unconcerned by Harte allegations

Republic of Ireland boss Brian Kerr is hoping Ian Harte has finished spitting his dummy out of the pram after last week earning a surprise recall to the squad.

Harte was a shock inclusion when Kerr named the players to take on Israel and the Faroe Islands for the forthcoming World Cup qualifying matches on June 4 and 8.

As a warm up, Ireland first face Celtic at Parkhead tomorrow in a testimonial for long-serving defender Jackie McNamara, although left-back Harte misses the game as he completes the Primera Liga season with Levante, who are fighting to avoid relegation.

Harte, though, will link up with the rest of the squad on Tuesday, with the prospect of playing in his first international match since a goalless draw against Poland last April.

However, three months ago it appeared Harte had burned his bridges as he was critical of Kerr, who he believed was deliberately freezing him out of the Ireland picture.

Harte claimed he had tried and failed on several occasions to contact Kerr, and instead was forced to leave messages that went unreturned, maintaining the situation was “a joke” and that he deserved respect from his international manager.

Kerr refuted all the allegations, and when he was asked yesterday whether Harte had finally managed to get in touch, he quipped: “Sometimes you want to have a bag of soothers.”

Kerr then added: “Ian has always been close to being in the squad. On this occasion we have lost Richard Dunne, who would have been in had he been fit, leaving Ian as the next defender in line.

“He has been playing in a good league, has experience and has played well for us when he has played, so there’s no problem.”

Manchester United trio Roy Keane, John O’Shea and Liam Miller will strengthen Kerr’s squad today in light of the extension to their season after last Saturday’s FA Cup final defeat by Arsenal.

They will be joined by Spurs duo Robbie Keane and Andy Reid given the White Hart Lane club’s end-of-season sojourn to Mauritius, while Chelsea winger Damien Duff arrived in Dublin yesterday.

That gives Kerr a complement of 21 players, with the likelihood all will be given a run-out to ensure they are match sharp for the vital double-header with Israel and the Faroes.

Liverpool defender Steve Finnan underwent a scan on the thigh strain sustained during Wednesday's momentous Champions League final victory over AC Milan, with theapparent problem “nothing serious” according to Kerr.

Like Harte, Finnan will join the rest of the squad next week, as will Leicester’s Alan Maybury who is recovering from a back injury.

At least the game with Celtic gives Kerr the chance to run the rule over a number of players on the fringes, not least Sunderland striker Stephen Elliott.

Last summer Elliott came close to joining Celtic – the club he grew up supporting – but instead chose Sunderland in a £125,000 transfer from Manchester City.

The move turned into a dream as the 21-year-old went on to score 16 goals to help former Ireland manager Mick McCarthy’s side clinch the Coca-Cola Championship title and a return to the Barclays Premiership, with his form in turn leading to two Ireland caps.

Obviously, Elliott has no regrets in turning his back on the Bhoys as he said: “I spoke with Martin O’Neill on one occasion, but it was always going to be Sunderland I was going to sign for.

“I felt it was the right move. I had a good feeling about the club when I went up, and football-wise I felt it was better for me to go there and play rather than to Scotland and not be too sure about playing.

“Being a Celtic fan as a kid, the thought of signing for them flattered me, but I went with my head more than my heart and going to Sunderland has proved to be the best move for me.

“Now I can’t wait to play in the Premiership. It’s every kid’s dream to play there and I know it is going to be a hard challenge, but hopefully it’s one I can meet.”