Jack Byrne really doesn’t do understatement.
The Dubliner was the talk of the Irish football media last week as he trained with the Republic of Ireland team ahead of our friendlies with Switzerland and Slovakia.
He didn’t feature in either game as he dropped back down to the Under-21 side, but in an interview with his current club Cambuur in Holland, the confident 19-year-old has revealed the words of wisdom he received from Ireland boss Martin O’Neill while he was training with the senior team.
Byrne admitted he loved training with the senior side, and O’Neill encouraged him to try out his shooting boots while at Abbotstown.
“It was a fantastic experience. The level was very high and I was quite nervous to walk on the field between the established names. They gave me a few tips and set me at ease. Dare to shoot and play your own game was what Martin told me most of all.”
Byrne also explained that Roy Keane was happy to see him leave the comfort of life at the Etihad to play first team football this season on-loan in Holland.
“Roy told me he was happy that I had gone to Cambuur. He said stepping out of my comfort zone will make me a better player.
Byrne may not have featured in either friendly, but with the Under-21s’ European campaign now effectively over, he is confident his efforts in the Eredivisie are having an impact.
“I felt in training that I could handle the level. On the other hand, I’m only 19 and those are the guys who qualified, but I will keep fighting. My performances at Cambuur have not gone unnoticed at least which is encouraging.”
Byrne’s short-term future may be in the Netherlands, but he recently signed a long-term deal at Manchester City.
Next season Pep Guardiola is in charge, but Byrne jokingly admits there has been no contact between the Irishman and the ex-Barcelona boss yet.
“I hope to be involved in the pre-season there but the new boss still has not called me, ha ha. ”
