Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni has announced a 24 man squad for the forthcoming FIFA World Cup group 8 qualifier against Cyprus in Nicosia on September 5 and the friendly against South Africa on September 8.
Trapattoni said, “We have put ourselves in a good position in the qualification group going into this game. The match against Cyprus is very important as we continue to try to book our place in South Africa next summer.”
He continued, “The match against South Africa in Thomond Park will provide useful preparation for our final two World Cup qualifying games against Italy and Montenegro in Croke Park in October.”
Ireland squad v Cyprus and South Africa
Shay Given Manchester City
Keiren Westwood Coventry City
Joe Murphy Scunthorpe United
John O'Shea Manchester United
Kevin Foley Wolves
Richard Dunne Manchester City
Stephen Kelly Fulham
Kevin Kilbane Hull City
Eddie Nolan Preston North End
Sean St. Ledger Preston North End
Aiden McGeady Celtic
Damien Duff Fulham
Darron Gibson Manchester United
Glenn Whelan Stoke City
Keith Andrews Blackburn Rovers
Liam Miller Unattached
Stephen Hunt Hull City
Andy Keogh Wolves
Liam Lawrence Stoke City
Caleb Folan Hull City
Kevin Doyle Wolves
Robbie Keane Tottenham Hotspur
Shane Long Reading
Leon Best Coventry City
Derry's Manchester United midfielder, Darron Gibson, has hit back at criticism directed at his performance during his full international debut for Ireland against Cyprus in Wednesday night's World Cup qualifier at Croke Park.
The 20 years-old from Barr’s Lane was a shock inclusion in Giovanni Trapattoni’s starting line-up having impressed the Italian with his performance in Ireland’s exhibition match against Nottingham Forest last Thursday evening, the new Irish boss electing to select him ahead of the Sunderland pairing, Andy Reid and Liam Millar, for the crucial clash with the Cypriots.
Gibson delivered a solid performance alongside fellow novice, Glenn Whelan of Stoke City, in central midfield but the pair came in for a barrage of fierce criticism following the game, most notably from RTE panellist, Eamon Dunphy, who questioned the Derry man’s inclusion and credibility, describing Gibson as a ‘ninth-choice’ Manchester United midfielder!
Gibson, however, remained unfazed by those comments and remains of the view that he had proved himself capable of playing at the highest level.
“I don’t care what anyone is saying about me, to be honest,” said Darron last night.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been fitter than what I am now and the main thing is that we won the game. The manager told both Glenn Whelan and myself to sit deep and help with defending. It was a typically Italian way of playing of the game,” he claimed.
“It was a different role than what I’m used to playing at Manchester United, I suppose I’d rather be bombing forward and be more attacking, but it was a big confidence-booster to play at this level and, hopefully, I can kick on from here and make an impression in the squad.”
It was the former Tristar player’s third Irish cap, having made two substitute appearances under Trapattoni's predecessor, Steve Staunton, against Denmark and Slovakia, but this was, by some considerable distance, the biggest game of his career to date.
Delighted to get his chance ahead of regular English Premiership stars, Reid and Millar, Gibson revealed his intention to secure his place in the squad for next month’s friendly against Poland.
“I was delighted to be brought in for such a big game. I wouldn’t want to be brought in any other way. I think I’ve now shown I can play and handle the pressure at International level.
“It wasn’t the best of games, but I thought I passed the ball well enough and the main thing was that we won the game. I think I played well and, hopefully, I can keep my place in the side. We have a friendly game next month against Poland and I would hope to be playing,” continued Darron.
“It was my first time playing at Croke Park. The pitch was excellent and the atmosphere was great. I must admit that I was a bit nervous before the match but once it got started I was fine. The coaches were telling me all week to speak more and shout a bit more on the pitch and I’m hoarse today as a result!”
But did his call-up to the starting line-up come as a surprise?
“I wasn’t expecting to be called into the squad, so I was delighted when I found out,” he revealed. “Liam Brady seems to like me.
He talked to Trapattoni about me and they sat down to watch some videos before Trapattoni watched me for the first time against Nottingham Forest and made his decision based on that performance.
“The manager told me that I would be in the squad, but I never thought I’d be starting. He didn’t actually tell me I was starting and it wasn’t until we were going through tactics and the formation that I realised I was in the starting line-up.
“It was a brilliant experience and it’s been a real rollercoster few days.”
Gibson is also hopeful of making an impression in the Manchester United squad this year and is anxious to build on his one first team appearance this season.
“I’m really hoping to get my chance and make an impact this season. There’s a lot of competition for places at Old Trafford but there’s been a few injuries and a few players away this weekend, so maybe I’ll get a chance against West Brom this Saturday,” he concluded.
It was mission accomplished for Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni when he gave his assessment of the 1-0 win over Cyprus at Croke Park on Wednesday in the 2010 World Cup qualifier.
“This is a great victory,” said the Italian. ”I said to my players on Tuesday that, tomorrow we look to play well, but the result is most important. The performance comes and goes but the results stays.
“We got a great start with the goal but we stopped playing a bit. The last time we played Cyprus here we drew 1-1 and Ireland lost 5-2 in Cyprus as well. In future, we can play with more confidence.
"I thought Cyprus pushed and pushed. Cyprus played well. All their players played well with confidence. Our defenders were very strong. We didn't have any real difficulties. I like Cyprus though. They have a lot of good players.
“But we got this very important win and I want to congratulate the players because they played the final minutes with so much heart.”
He added: "Damien Duff is one of the stronger players in the team. I thought (Aiden) McGeady had great qualities too. Their specialty is running down the wings but I thought they suffered a bit with two in the centre of midfield.
“In this team we haven't had time to look and check out another scheme like three in midfield or another player in attack. In November, in the friendly (against Poland), we maybe look at the three in midfield.”
Ireland manager, Giovanni Trapattoni, has announced his team to face Cyprus in the FIFA World Cup, group 8 qualifier, tomorrow, Wednesday October 15.
Manchester United midfielder, Darron Gibson, is set to make his third senior international appearance, six days after starring for the Republic of Ireland XI in a 2-0 victory over Nottingham Forest.
Also returning to the starting line-up is Paul McShane in defence while Damien Duff returns from injury to feature in his first game of the 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign.
This will be Gibson’s first start at International level. He made his full debut in August 2007 as a half-time substitute against Denmark in a friendly before featuring again as a substitute a few week later in the EURO 2008 qualifier against Slovakia.
The 20-year old particularly caught the eye of Trapattoni in last week’s challenge match against Forest when he played for the first 55 minutes.
The manager believes the Manchester United man has the ability to be a key asset within Ireland’s central midfield on Wednesday night when he partners Glenn Whelan in the middle.
"At the moment, we are missing Steven Reid (through injury) and his physical aspect," said Trapattoni.
"Gibson is confident on the ball. He plays the easy ball and he looks before the ball comes and, for me, that is a good quality.
"The first reason (for him playing) is his height and the second is that he plays with confidence.
"He doesn't play very often, but he plays for Manchester United. Manchester United are a very important team. I want to try him out because he could be somebody who works very well in midfield also in the future."
