Young guns on verge of Republic chance

Stephen Ireland and Joey O’Brien appear on the brink of making a senior international breakthrough as part of the new regime under Republic of Ireland manager Steve Staunton.

Manchester City midfielder Ireland and Bolton right-back O’Brien have both enjoyed impressive seasons for their clubs to date.

Ireland’s progress at City has been remarkable, and although boss Stuart Pearce has been carefully nurturing the 19-year-old, it is difficult to hold back such rare talent.

Ireland has already made 18 appearances this season, including 11 starts, notably producing a stand-out performance in Saturday’s 3-1 local derby victory over Manchester United in the Premiership.

Similarly, Bolton boss Sam Allardyce has conceded O’Brien “was not on the radar” at the start of the season, but the 19-year-old has managed to make the right-back role his own at the Reebok Stadium.

It is clear these are two of the players that represent the future of Ireland, with the prospect of a call-up for Staunton’s first game in charge, the friendly against Sweden at Lansdowne Road on March 1.

“We want to blood new talent, get them through, and we have got some young talent coming through as we have seen with young Ireland and Joey O’Brien, and people like that,” confirmed Staunton.

“Friendlies are there for a purpose. Yes, we want to win and we’d love to win, but we will be trying to bring in one or two newcomers.

“It might be a bit early for that and maybe we will just bring the squad in, who knows. But we’re looking at getting a squad together that can move us forward.

“What happened in the last campaign is gone. We are now looking to the future. That’s what I will say.

“We are looking to blend the young and the experienced. You need that, I know that myself.

“I’ve been in both positions as a young lad and an old head, so you definitely need that, and you definitely need young legs.”

Under-21 manager Don Givens is happy to accept he may never have the pleasure of Ireland under his wing as there is every prospect he will bypass that level and go straight into the seniors.

There is still a chance of the teenager being called into the squad for next month’s four-team Madeira Tournament that sees them play three matches in four days against the hosts, Finland and Portugal.

But Givens said: “He is a great talent, no two ways about it.

“Both he and Joey O’Brien are performing well at the moment, and playing regularly which is important.

“If they do get their chance then it will be great, and it will show the other boys coming through just what can be achieved.”

Givens spoke with Staunton over the weekend, with further talks on the agenda as nothing has yet been decided.

But Bobby Robson, Ireland’s new international football consultant, is also acutely aware of the need for fresh blood.

“To be progressive we have to look further than just the present crop,” insisted Robson.

“Are there any young players coming through? We will search high and low.

“There’s an awful lot of scouting to do, an awful lot of work to do, but we’re not afraid of it. We’re very keen to start.”