Interesting.
Martin O’Neill isn’t getting carried away. He said he’d have a look at Jack Byrne and he’s doing exactly that.
The Manchester City youngster has been exciting the nation with some impressive feats whilst on loan in Holland and he was integrated into the Republic of Ireland senior squad training on Monday in Abbotstown.
Byrne was taking part with a number of new faces to the Irish team including Wolves’ Matt Doherty, Aberdeen’s Jonny Hayes, and Brentford’s Alan Judge and there was a welcome return for Birmingham’s Stephen Gleeson who has been tearing it up in the Championship this season.
There were a number of experienced pros not taking part in training – the like of Shane Long, Jon Walters, Robbie Brady, Robbie Keane and Glenn Whelan sat out along with Harry Arter – and O’Neill reckons it might be a different story on Tuesday for Jack Byrne with the return of those names.
“I was speaking to him there and he certainly doesn’t lack confidence,” the manager said.
“I’ll have to see a little more of him. He might be dumped on his backside by a number of the senior players tomorrow!”
Byrne might be a confident footballer but he was still struggling to believe the gravity of his surroundings on Monday.
“It’s a bit surreal having dinner and looking across to see Robbie Keane sitting at the table,” he said. “It’s nice to experience that kind of stuff as a 19-year-old kid. My earliest memory would have been the 2002 World Cup when we did so well.
“It’s something that you dream about doing when you’re growing up as a kid playing football. To be here now and to be in and around it is very nice.
“You wouldn’t want to go out onto a pitch and not think you’re good enough to wear the green shirt of Ireland. I feel as if I’m a good enough and confident enough player that I can affect games wherever I play.”
