Martin O’Neill gave little away today, which suggests he knows more than he is willing to tell. Like his starting XI and squad for Euro 2016.
Plenty of names will be put forward by the hurlers on the ditch between now and June but O’Neill already has a good idea who will be on that plane.
Chris Forrester, Matt Doherty and Jonathan Hayes have been included in the provisional 40-man squad Republic of Ireland squad for the upcoming friendlies against Switzerland and Slovakia.
The trio can be proud of their inclusion. It’s a considerable achievement for a player whom, in Forrester’s case, was playing in the League of Ireland this time last year.
And footballers currently playing Irish domestic football must be encouraged that they too can break into O’Neill’s plans, should a move materialise. While League of Ireland fans will feel vindicated, and can argue that Forrester’s inclusion, and form for Peterborough, is proof of the talent on show in the division.
However, that long list also includes Paul Green, so the chances of the trio being included in the squad for the upcoming friendlies, never mind making it to France, is very, very slim.
Other than ending Damien Delaney’s hopes of returning for Ireland, O’Neill said little of note at Friday’s squad announcement in Abbottstown.
However, the Derryman gave some indication as to who could potentially break into the first XI for the opening game against Sweden, and his comments on Jack Byrne may spell bad news for Darron Gibson and Aiden McGeady.
Firstly, it appears Harry Arter has the best chance of the players outside the starting line-up to feature in France.
When asked about the Bournemouth midfielder, and Brentford’s in-form Alan Judge, O’Neill spoke only about Arter.
“Harry’s fit for Bournemouth this week, he didn’t play last week,” O’Neill said.
“I think he’s in contention (to play) this week. But in a more general, (his advice would be) just to go and stamp your authority on a game in midfield.”
“And I thought that Harry did very, very well against England in the match (last June), considering he wasn’t properly fit. So he’s got back in there and did very well.”
Arter has featured highly in our own Irish player power rankings, and, according to football statistical website Whoscored.com, has averaged 6.99 in his 14 appearances for the Cherries in central midfield this season.
If the 26 year old does well in the games against Switzerland and Slovakia later this month, don’t be surprised to see him, injuries permitting, start in at least one of Ireland’s Euro 2016 games.
Ireland’s best performances under O’Neill have come when the team used a midfield diamond, with Glenn Whelan at the base, flanked by the energetic pair of James McCarthy and Jeff Hendrick, with Wes Hoolahan playing slightly ahead of them.
However, as O’Neill has been, at times, reluctant to use Hoolahan in consecutive games within a short space of time, Arter could be ideal to start in Ireland’s second Euro 2016 game against Belgium.
The midfielder is hard-working, comfortable in possession, has an eye for goal, and is a strong tackler. O’Neill has referenced wanting to use him in the past, and London-born Arter looks like he’ll get his opportunity to stake a claim for a starting place.
Aiden McGeady and Darron Gibson are two players who would’ve been miles ahead of Arter in the queue for a starting spot when O’Neill took charge.
However, comments O’Neill made about 19-year-old midfielder Jack Byrne, arguably spoke volumes about his view on the pair.
“At least he’s made the effort to go out on loan to try further his career and to try make himself a more experienced player,” the Ireland manager said about Byrne, who’s currently on-loan from Manchester City with Cambuur in the Netherlands.
“Well done to him for that.”
In other words, if you can’t be bothered seeking out first team football, then don’t expect to be part of O’Neill’s immediate plans.
Gibson played in Ireland’s games away to Scotland and Germany at the start of the campaign, when Arter had yet to be capped.
Yet the 28 year old has featured just seven times for Everton this season, and while he’s been hampered by injuries, his failure to secure a January loan move looks certain to cost him a place in France.
While McGeady, on loan at Sheffield Wednesday, was substituted in a Championship game last week for tactical reasons. Both players are in what should be their peak years, but face uncertain international futures.
When their plight is compared with Arter, a late comer to the international scene, it shows the virtue of playing regular football.
It also show how one can’t expect to be included in the international set-up based on past form, and the fact that O’Neill is picking his squad based on form should be welcomed by all Ireland fans.
