Darron Gibson's move to Everton has helped to bolster his international credentials, according to Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni.
The 24-year-old Derryman impressed his experienced Italian manager as he shone during Ireland’s 1-0 Euro 2012 warm-up win over Bosnia last Saturday.
And Trapattoni believes the opportunity to play consistently at a top half Premiership club like Everton has transformed the midfielder’s prospects, after his career was in danger of going stale at Manchester United.
Gibson made 15 midfield appearances for David Moyes’ side after joining in January from Old Trafford, and is set to be rewarded with more playing time during next month’s European Championship finals in Poland.
“I think the change of club has been very important for him,” said Trapattoni (above) after former Toffees target Shane Long had sealed victory for 'The Boys In Green'.
“Darron Gibson has other qualities and I complimented him on his performance against Bosnia. That is the Gibson I wish to have.”
Trapattoni also told reporters after the game that he was impressed by Gibson’s vision, and growing maturity in the central midfield role, where he was increasingly effective for the Blues as they surged up the Premier League table in the second half of the season.
Gibson is poised to push Glenn Whelan and Keith Andrews for a central midfield starting place, and his 90 mins against Bosnia is likely to increase that possibility.
Giovanni Trapattoni has named his starting eleven for tomorrow's Euro 2012 warm up game against Bosnia and Herzegovina at Lansdowne Road Dublin.
The team includes a start for Derry winger James McClean, while as expected, Keiren Westwood steps in for the injured Shay Given.
Darron Gibson And Glenn Whelan make up the central midfield pairing while Kevin Doyle will parner Robbie Keane up front.
Keiren Westwood
Paul McShane
Richard Dunne
Sean St. Ledger
Stephen Ward
Damien Duff
Darron Gibson
Glenn Whelan
James McClean
Robbie Keane
Kevin Doyle
Stephen Hunt has spoken of his excitement and the ‘buzz’ surrounding the build up to Ireland’s trip to the Euro 2012 finals in Poland next month.
Speaking to Ciarán Ó Raghallaigh on the Over The Line podcast Hunt spoke of his ‘unbelievable memories’ of watching Ireland during the 1990 World Cup in Italy and the 2002 world Cup in Japan, and his hope of emulating the player s of previous campaigns.
“It would be great to be part of the history, to score a winning goal or to have a major impact on the tournament and be remembered for that. My aim for the next four weeks is to try and get in the team and be ready”
And Hunt contends that he has every chance of playing his part in the campaign and does not believe that the winger positions are set in stone, with Aiden McGeady & Damien Duff being automatic first choice wingers.
“I know the manager gives me my fair share of the games and he believes in me, and I played the same ammount of games as Duffer in the last campaign”
The Waterford born winger also spoke of the inclusion of James McClean in the squad for Poland.
“Fair play to James he’s had a good season which means 1 – he’s available for Ireland, 2 - it’s competition, and 3 - it’s healthy competition for the squad”
“ It certainly motivates you to do better but also to help james, he’s a young lad and everyone in the squad will welcome him and help him along the way, because we all want to do well”
Hunt also gave an interesting insight into how group C might play out for Ireland, a result which would see Ireland progressing to the later stages of the competition.
“We need to go there, do well and make our own history. I’ve an idea how the group will pan out that has us qualifying. I don’t think it’s important to win the Croatia, a draw just keeps everything alive and builds momentum going into the Spain game and then with the Italian game, we’d be hoping that we’d have enough in the locker to beat them, if needs be”
