Showing posts with label
republic of ireland international.
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Showing posts with label
republic of ireland international.
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Ireland captain Robbie Keane celebrated his record breaking 126th international cap with a hat-trick as Ireland defeated the Faroe Islands 3-0 in a Group C World Cup qualifier in Dublin.
The LA Galaxy striker opened the scoring after five minutes following some excellent build-up play by Wes Hoolahan and Aiden McGeady, before adding his second in the 55th minute, getting on the end of a Seamus Coleman cross.
And the third goal arrived nine minutes from time as Keane rounded off a fine man of the match performance with a neat finish following an exquisite pass from substitute Conor Sammon.
Giovanni Trapattoni labelled Robbie Keane the best Irish player he has seen in 30 years after the striker's hat-trick earned Ireland a World Cup qualifying victory over the Faroe Islands.
He said: "I particularly wish to congratulate our captain because for 30 years, I have known the Irish team and the Irish players and for me, he is the best Irish player I have known in 30 years.
"I wish to congratulate him because he scored. At the moment, he is in good form, but I repeat what I said yesterday, he is also one of the best players in Europe."
Trapattoni and his players head for New York tomorrow for Tuesday's friendly against Spain, although Shane Long and McGeady will not be travelling because both are to be married, while Marc Wilson is due to have surgery to remove a metal plate from his leg.
Ireland international defender Richard Dunne has consulted Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert for advice about whether to retire from international football to focus on his club career.
Asked if he'd considered retirement, Dunne, who is entering the final year of his Villa contract, replied: “Yes, it has a few times. It’s easy after a tournament, the way it’s gone, to make a rash decision and just say ‘that’s it’.“But I just have to think about things.
‘I was basically waiting to get back into training at Villa and then have a think and see how I feel, if I can go away again or not.
‘‘It’s a hard decision because it’s something I love doing.”
‘‘I’ve already spent four weeks thinking about it and I still can’t decide. When the time is right in my own head, I’ll know and then that will be the time.
“It’s such a massive decision because if we’ve qualified for one why can’t we qualify for the next one?
“If we were to qualify for Brazil it would be amazing.”
Dublin born Dunne made his debut for Ireland in April 2000 in a 1–0 loss against Greece in a friendly match and scored his first international goal just two months later against Mexico.
Ireland midfielder Glenn Whelan has spoken of his pride at becoming Stoke City's most-capped international player.
Dublin born Whelan won his 37th cap against the Czech Republic on 29 February and that surpassed the 36 appearances made by England goalkeeper Gordon Banks during his five-year spell with the Potters.
"To beat Gordon Banks, who's not just a Stoke legend but also an England legend, it will be great to look back on," Whelan told BBC Radio Stoke.
Banks won a total of 73 caps for England, with the other 37 coming before his move from Leicester City to Stoke in 1967.
28 year old Whelan made his international debut for Ireland in June 2008, five months after joining the Potters from Sheffield Wednesday. The Irish central midfielder started his career with Manchester City after joining from Irish feeder club Cherry Orchard in 2001.
Whelan has been a mainstay in Giovanni Trapattoni's central midfield and is a likely starter for 'The Boys In Green' when they travel to Euro 2012 in June.
Three days after playing in a 1-1 draw for the Irish against the Czechs, Whelan helped Stoke to a 1-0 win against Norwich , their second consecutive Premier League victory and a result that lifted Tony Pulis's side back into the top half of the Premiership table.
"Coming off four straight defeats, we knew it was going to be really tough but they were two games that we knew we could win," said Whelan.
"It's given us massive confidence going into the next game [at Chelsea on Saturday].
"Clean sheets are important, every team needs them, and we've got two of them in the last two games so we need to keep that up."
"We go into every game hoping to get a win and Chelsea is no different. We know it will be tough with the players that they've got but they're not unbeatable. We can go there with confidence, like what we've shown in the last two games."
Ireland international Keith Andrews is already eyeing up a long-term future with West Brom following a dream debut in last week’s mauling of Wolves.
Dublin born Andrews, who started his career with Wolves in 1999, playing in 72 matches over six years, scored West Brom’s fourth goal in the 5-1 rout at Molineux.
Andrews has admitted that he would like to make the move permanent.
'I would certainly be open to a longer deal,' said Andrews.
'I have come here to play for a head coach I want to play for and a club I believe is run well and has a good set of lads that I enjoy coming in and working with every day.
'I enjoy being part of the team, so I am certainly open to it and I'm sure if I keep going the way I am then the club will be as well.
'I was delighted just to get on and make my debut and I was delighted with the result.
'The score, and to win by that margin, was Roy of the Rovers stuff. It was a dream come true.'
31 year old Andrews will be keen to get as much game time as possible for the Baggies over the next few months as he wants to remain firmly within Giovanni Trapattoni’s thoughts for a starting birth in the Irish midfield for the upcoming Euro finals in Poland later this year.
Everton Boss David Moyes has praised the maturity of Ireland U21 International Shane Duffy after his home Premier League debut at Goodison Park yesterday against Blackburn.
Speaking after the 1-1 draw Moyes said “Shane Duffy had a terrific game. He was arguably our best player today and he’s a young boy; we just needed a lot more in every department.”
Derry born Duffy has now played in the last three Everton games, standing in for the injured Phil Jagielka and Sylvain Distin, and after solid showings at Spurs and Aston Villa the 20 year old centre-back ran out at Goodison Park for the first time in a league game and left the stadium with the man of the match award.
Duffy looked totally composed at the heart of the 'Toffees' backline and already seems to have built up a good understanding with fellow centre-back John Heitinga. He was defensively solid and was always a threat from set pieces. He was unlucky not to have given Everton the three points when he struck the bar with a late header.
And David Moyes was delighted at the way the youngster has stepped up to the mark in such a crucial role for the side.
"Duffy has played really well in the games," Moyes told evertontv. "He has been steady and looked mature in the games he has played.
"It is not easy for a young centre-half to play in the Premier League and we have tried to keep his game steady and simple and he has done well."
Duffy spent the first half of the season on loan at Scunthorpe before his call back to the Toffees, and impressed all at Glanford Park including Iron boss Alan Knill who was keen to retain the services of the Derry man for the remainder of the season.
Earlier this week Shane Duffy set himself a target of saving David Moyes a fortune in the transfer market and if recent performances are anything to go by, he may well do just that.
Everton have completed the signing of Irish international midfielder Darron Gibson from Manchester United for an undisclosed fee.
The 24-year-old Derry born international joins on a four-and-a-half year deal and will wear the number 4 shirt.
Gibson, whose last appearance for United came in a 5-0 win over Wigan on Boxing Day, will arrive at Finch Farm immediately and could make his debut when the Blues take on Aston Villa at Villa Park on Saturday.
A product of Manchester United's youth system, Gibson broke through the ranks during the 2005/06 campaign and has since made 60 appearances, scoring 10 goals - many spectacular efforts from long range.
Last season he scored in the Red Devils’ Champions League semi-final defeat of German outfit Schalke, just over a year after another strike helped Sir Alex Ferguson's men overcome giants Bayern Munich in the last eight of the same competition.
Gibson has made seventeen international appearances for Trapattoni’s ‘Boys In Green’ and a move away from Old Trafford was essential for the player, as regular football is a must if he is to feature in the squad for the upcoming European finals in Poland in June.
Scunthorpe United have extended the loan stay of Ireland U21 international Shane Duffy.
The Derry born centre-half has impressed during his month at Glanford Park and the Iron were keen to extend the deal.
Saturday's 2-1 victory over Yeovil Town was the 19-year-old's fourth appearance for United and Scunthorpe boss alan Knill has persuaded Premier League side Everton to allow him to remain on a month by month basis.
"I've spoken to Shane and he is benefiting from playing in someone's first team," said the Iron boss.
"It's better he plays in a competitive team that is playing quite well rather than the reserves.
"That's what they sent him to us for, to learn, and that's what he's doing. And I have to say, I think he's getting better.
"The thing I like most about him is when the ball comes into the box, he really wants to head it – before anybody else. He's a proper centre-half."
Both Duffy and fellow Iron Irish international Niall Canavan have been called up into the latest Ireland U21 squad.
The pair have been selected for the forthcoming UEFA 2013 European Championship Qualifier versus Liechtenstein which will take place on Tuesday, October 11.
Canavan is currently out of action with an ankle injury but, should he be fit, he will join up with the squad alongside Duffy the day after Scunthorpe's home clash with Leyton Orient.
The pair would then return to training ready for the away game at Brentford on Saturday, October 15.
Irish boss Giovanni Trapattoni says winger Aiden McGeady is “100 per cent” and ready to play in the Euro 2012 qualifiers against Slovakia and Russia. The Spartak midfielder played three minutes of the Moscow derby on Sunday after missing much of the summer with an ankle injury sustained on June 10th, but met up with the Ireland squad at the first opportunity this morning and trained in Malahide.
Captain Robbie Keane is travelling from the other side of the world where he now plies his trade with LA Galaxy and will join the squad tomorrow.
The manager today spoke publicly for the first time since the striker’s move from Tottenham to Major League Soccer and appeared satisfied the decision will not affect the Tallaght man’s international future or form.
“He went with enthusiasm, he told me he was happy to go but he wanted to be with the Irish players too and he will come,” said the Italian. “Before people said he wasn’t playing enough, but I said senior players have played a lot of football and can keep their conditioning. Now I’m sure he can play despite the long flights.”
Burnley winger Keith Treacy and Sunderland defender John O’Shea will also arrive tomorrow. O’Shea featured for the first time for his new club at the weekend and played 95 minutes in the 0-0 draw with Swansea after recovering from injury.
The Irish Management team remain confident goalkeeper Shay Given will be fit after he suffered a back strain while playing for Aston Villa on Saturday. He will also join up with the squad late.
The only players to sit out training today were defenders Seán St Ledger and Darren O’Dea, and striker Shane Long, who has scored against Manchester United and Chelsea this season after leaving Reading for West Brom.
With each carrying minor knocks, their absences today were merely precautionary and Trapattoni insisted: “It was better we let them rest, the will be fine though, we are sure.”
The manager is happy the Long's form has provided him with a selection headache ahead of a big week, with Kevin Doyle, Keane and Simon Cox also vying for a place on the pitch.
"It's important to have these options. In the 90 minutes, we can start and then change. It's very important to choose every option."The Slovakia and Russia games will have a major say in the outcome of the group, with the three sides involved locked together at the top of the table on 13 points. Ireland lost at home to the Russians and drew in Slovakia in October, and there has been little to choose between the teams throughout the campaign to date.
But while Trapattoni is fully aware of the magnitude of the double-header, he is refusing even to contemplate what lies ahead in Moscow next week until the first encounter has been negotiated.
He said: "We must prepare for these two games with more attention - I say more because it is always important to improve. Every game shows us or teaches us that it is possible to improve again.
"For example, for the last game against Croatia, we were missing two or three important players. But the players who came in played well, and I am confident about them. I saw how it's possible to improve not only the system, but the attitude, mentality and how it's possible to achieve the result when we are missing one or two important players.
"Now against Slovakia and against Russia, we need to start with the winning mentality because I think we can do that. But we have to think about Russia only after three days."
Dick Advocaat's side suffered a setback yesterday when goalkeeper Igor Akinfeyev was ruled out of both of their qualifiers with a knee injury sustained in the same game in which McGeady made his return.
Vyacheslav Malafeev, the Zenit St Petersburg goalkeeper capped 18 times, is likely to take his place, though Advocaat has added Dynamo Moscow’s Anton Shunin (one cap) to the squad for the home games against Macedonia, on Friday, and Ireland.
Derry born Ireland international Darron Gibson has conceded that the time might be right to leave Man United in search of regular first team football with Sunderland as the ‘Black Cats’ close in on signing the midfielder.
Gibson - whose contract expires next summer - is viewed as a ready-made replacement for Jordan Henderson who looks bound for Liverpool with the Ireland international admitting last night he would “love to play for Steve Bruce” should he find himself surplus to requirements at United.
While it’s understood an agreement has been reached between the two clubs on the Gibson transfer, personal terms have yet to be ironed out with each of the player.
However, the attractive prospect of regular first team football under Bruce looks like being the deciding factor in any move for Gibson and the Derry man suggested that it could be the perfect time for him to part ways with his boyhood club.
“It wouldn’t faze me one bit to leave, all I want is what’s best for me,” declared Gibson. “So if the best thing for me is to leave and go somewhere that I’ll play every week then so be it.
“I haven’t sat down with Sir Alex to talk about it but obviously if it comes to me not playing as much as I would like next season then I’ll have to move on. It has come to the stage were I’m nearly 24 and I’m going to have to go somewhere else if I don’t start playing regularly.
“If it comes down to it I just want to go somewhere where it’s right for me”.
“Obviously playing International and Champions League football is going to be a big help to wherever I go. So if I do leave it will be a big help to which ever team I go to and it will obviously be a big help to me too if I’m playing every week.”
Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni has announced a provisional 33 man selection from which a squad will be chosen to face Nigel Worthington's IFA team on May 24 and Scotland on May 29 in the Carling Nations Cup followed by the Euro 2012 qualifier against Macedonia on June 4.
Ireland squad
Given (Man City), Westwood (Coventry), Forde (Millwall); Dunne (Aston Villa), O'Shea (Man Utd), Foley (Wolves), Delaney (Ipswich), Clark (Aston Villa), Coleman (Everton), Kilbane (Huddersfield), Kelly (Fulham), McShane (Hull); McCarthy (Wigan), Whelan (Stoke), Wilson (Stoke), Gibson (Man Utd), McGeady (Spartak Moscow), Fahey (Birmingham), Lawrence (Portsmouth), Treacy (Preston), Hunt (Wolves), Ward (Wolves); Keogh (Wolves), Stokes (Celtic) Folan (Colorado Rapids), Walters (Stoke), Keane (West Ham), Long (Reading).
Provisional call-ups subject to fitness: St Ledger (Preston), Duff (Fulham), O'Dea (Ipswich), Andrews (Blackburn), Doyle (Wolves)
Ireland striker Shane Long is refusing to rule out a move to the Premier League - but he insists his burning ambition is to get there with Reading.
Long was again instrumental in Reading's 2-1 win over Preston this evening, providing the pass for Jimmy Kebe to put the Royals in front and being a constant menace in front of goal.
Tonight's win moves the Royals into sixth place in the Championship and they are now right in the play-off mix and looking to continue a strong charge towards Premiership promotion.
The 24-year-old Tipperary born striker scored both goals in last Saturday's 2-0 home win against Portsmouth to take his club tally to 22 for the season.
And with three further Ireland international goals to his name this campaign, Long continues to be linked with a string of top-flight clubs including Wolves and West Brom.
But the in-form Irish hitman says the prospect of leaving the Madejski Stadium has not even crossed his mind.
Long, who signed a new contract recently until summer 2012, declared: "I think I'm performing well in the Championship and obviously the next step is the Premier League. I want to test myself against the best players in the world.
"But that's a long way away and all I'm looking for now is the next three points for Reading."
However, Long was more cautious when asked whether he may be forced to move on for the sake of his career should Reading fail to secure promotion.
"That's a hard question to answer," admitted the former Cork City player. "Obviously I want to play at the highest level but all I want to do is concentrate on the next game for Reading and take things as they come. I'm enjoying my football here, I get on well with the lads and my sole ambition is to get the Premier League with Reading."
The victory over Preston has stretched Reading's unbeaten run to nine matches and Long believes that if that continues they could even snatch the second automatic promotion spot behind champions-elect QPR.
"I'm enjoying my football at the moment and the games and the goals are coming thick and fast so long may that continue," he said. "We're going the right way about things and all of a sudden second place doesn't look far away.
"We've set our expectations high and aim for that second position so wherever we finish will be a bonus."
Long's brace last Saturday meant he is the first Reading player to score 20 league goals or more in a season since former strike partners Jamie Cureton and Martin Butler both managed it 10 years ago.
And despite the growing interest around Long's future, McDermott appears unconcerned: "I am not thinking about losing Long or any other players next season," he argued. "All we can do is train and worry about our next game.
"I think Shane has been on fire since the start of the season. He was playing well but not scoring whereas now he is getting the goals as well".
Shane Long's hunger to further his career has only been increased by his emergence as a top striker on the international stage
The Tipperary born Ireland striker scored his sixth goal in 19 senior appearances for 'The Boys In Green' in Tuesday night's 3-2 friendly defeat by World Cup semi-finalists Uruguay, and was also instrumental in winning the penalty which led to his side's second.
Long said: "They came fourth in the World Cup, so they are a very good side. One of the lads said nine of the players who started in the semi-final played again on Tuesday night, so they are obviously a quality side. They had two good centre-backs, so it was a big learning curve for me."
Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni played Long as the lone striker after being impressed by his performance as a replacement for the injured Kevin Doyle in Saturday's 2-1 Euro 2012 qualifying victory over Macedonia, and was again impressed by his performance.
Long admits he has benefited greatly from being a regular in the Reading starting eleven this season, and his 18 goals so far this term are testament to a player becoming a seasoned hit-man in front of goal .
The former Cork City player is constantly honing his skills, and his great performance against Uruguay was another opportunity to see just how far he has come this season.
Long added: "I am learning every day and 90 minutes every week is helping me progress. Tuesday's game is only going to add to that.
"They were good defenders. They knew what they were doing and could buy a foul as well, so it was a bit tough up there.
"But I gave as good as I got and I would like to think I caused them a bit of trouble."
Stephen Kelly will captain Ireland in tonight's friendly with Uruguay.
The 27-year-old Fulham defender will take over the armband from Robbie Keane who has been released as manager Giovanni Trapattoni takes a look at some of his back-up players.
Kelly, who will win his 21st cap, was an unused substitute in Saturday night's 2-1 Euro 2012 qualifier victory over Macedonia.
Having made his first competitive appearance off the bench against Macedonia, Wigan's James McCarthy will start behind the lone striker Shane Long between Andy Keogh and Liam Lawrence and in front of Keith Fahey and Paul Green.
Kelly will be in the centre of defence with Ciaran Clark on the left, Darren O'Dea in the centre and Kevin Foley on the right.
Keiren Westwood continues in goal in the absence of Shay Given.
Kelly admits he cannot wait for his big night. 'It's a huge honour, a huge privilege. The boss told me this morning,' he said.
'It's something you always dream of when you are a kid, first of all to play and represent your country, and then to lead your team out is just one of the of the greatest honours I can possibly ask for in football. I'm extremely happy.
'I have not played for a couple of months, but fitness-wise, I have always been an extremely fit player and being able to come in and play 90 minutes now, I don't think will be a problem to me.
'I am just looking forward to the opportunity and hopefully it's something I can really enjoy.
'It's going to be a difficult game - Uruguay are a strong side. [Luis] Suarez has pulled out, but it still doesn't affect their potency and how tough a game it is going to be.
'It is something I'm really looking forward to and I am delighted with the privilege. Hopefully we can go out there and give a really good account of ourselves.'
Ireland team to play Uruguay in an international friendly at the Aviva Stadium on Tuesday 29 March:
Westwood; Foley, O'Dea, Kelly (capt), Clark; Lawrence, Fahey, Green, Keogh; McCarthy, Long
Everton’s 2-1 win over Fulham, and a Seamus Coleman goal was the perfect way for the young Killybegs born international to head into next Saturday's Euro 2012 game against Macedonia and the Uruguay friendly the following Tuesday.
The young Irishman says the win over Mark Hughes' side has given Everton a big lift ahead of the fixture gap, and he hopes to see the team return to Merseyside with the same level of optimism once the international fixtures are complete.
Coleman is one of David Moyes' players who will be heading off on international duty, and the 22-year-old is delighted to be leaving on the back of a home victory.
"It's what we wanted - especially going into the international break," Coleman toldevertontv. "We wanted to go away on a high so we can come back on a high.
"The win was very important. There was a good buzz in the changing rooms and everyone will head away with their countries in high spirits - it wouldn't be nice going away with a defeat so it's exactly what we wanted."
Coleman netted Everton's opener against the Cottagers for his sixth goal of the season after beating Mark Schwarzer with a powerful header from Leon Osman's cross on 35 minutes.
And with half of his tally coming from headers, Coleman revealed he's been putting in extra effort in training to increase that number before the term ends.
"Steve Round has helped me a lot since I've moved position," he continued. "Whether it be heading it into goal or heading it back across goal for someone to tap it in, it has been worked on.
"I've got a few chances at the back post in the last couple of games and the opposition goalkeeper had saved a few, so I just watched it onto my head and tried to put it back across goal and thankfully it went in.
"The deliveries coming in from the left hand side are great whether it be from Osman or Baines. I have had a few chances and maybe I should have headed a few more goals, but I'm glad I got one today."
Ireland U-21 international Conor Clifford is keen to extend his loan spell at Notts County from champions Chelsea until the end of the season.
The 19-year-old Dubliner moved to Meadow Lane on a one-month loan in early February but is eager to remain.
Magpies boss Paul Ince has been impressed with the former Crumlin United players performances and will discuss keeping him for the rest of the campaign with the club's chief executive.
"I'd love to stay with Notts until the end of the season," said Clifford. "I'm really enjoying playing in meaningful games rather than in the reserves at Chelsea, and I want to keep playing to gain as much experience as I can."
Clifford captained last season's Chelsea FA Youth Cup winning team, scoring the winner in the Final against Aston Villa with a long-range strike.
He began the season on loan at Plymouth, has started three league games for Notts, against Colchester United, Brentford and Leyton Orient, and has made two substitute appearances, against Exeter City and Charlton.
"I've been delighted to play almost every game since I've came here. I think I've done all right but I know I can give an awful lot more if I stay for the rest of the season," he added.
"I'm still getting to know the lads and the way we play and I haven't really played where I normally play, in the centre of midfield. I've been playing out wide. It's a bit frustrating but it's all good experience for me wherever I play.
"Hopefully I can sign on again, play more games and get better."
Ince has four central midfielders with more experience than Clifford in his squad – Neal Bishop, Ricky Ravenhill, John Spicer and Kevin McDonald, on loan from Burnley.
"We've got enough in that central midfield department, but I think Conor has done ever so well since he's been here.
"He plays with a lot of energy. I will sit down with Jim (Rodwell) and see where we stand," he said.
Ireland youth international Conor Henderson made his Arsenal debut last night in the 5-0 FA Cup defeat of Leyton Orient.
The 19-year-old technically gifted midfielder is renowned for his ball-playing abilities and is a regular in the Arsenal reserve side.
Speaking after the final whistle Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger said "He has done well, and shown that he is technically at the level that we request here. He has a nice, smooth left foot and good build. He would have been involved a long time ago but he was injured."
Henderson signed a contract extension at the Emirates last summer after progressing through the junior ranks of Liam Brady’s youth set-up. He was handed his first professional contract with the gunners in 2008, with the left footed central player instantly impressing for Steve Bould's young Gunners, and was involved with the Arsenal squad at the end of last term for the trip to Wigan. Arsenal boss Wenger also included the winger in his pre-season training camp in Austria.
Ciarán Clark and Séamus Coleman will make their Ireland international debuts in tomorrow night’s Carling Nations Cup opener against Wales, However Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni has lost Robbie Keane, James McCarthy, Keith Treacy, Liam Lawrence and Leon Best to injury.
Despite his hope that the Killybegs born player might develop into an attacking right back over the coming years, Coleman, the Italian said, will start on the right side of midfield for the Wales game while Clark will be used at left back.
The pair, he said, will get opportunities, “not just in this game but also in the qualifiers”, a comment that seemed to suggest Clark, in particular, has a chance of very quickly making the place his own if he can impress on this occasion.
Speaking about his inclusion in his first Ireland senior squad, Clark said “ I’ve just got to play as well as I can and hopefully impress. I’ve got to try and stay in the squad. There are a number of players who aren’t here who might be here for the next meet-up so there are a lot of people to choose from. I’ve got to keep training and playing hard and just see what might happen over the next couple of years.”
Clark, said he was excited by the prospect of making his senior debut.
“From a young age we have been a big Irish family and that is always what I wanted to do,” he said. “It was a good experience being with England. Ireland never came in at the time and that was just the path that things took but this is where I really wanted to be. Now I’ve made my decision and I would be honoured to be involved and hopefully I will be.”
Trapattoni seemed a little taken aback that James McCarthy will again be unavailable to him after the Wigan midfielder was withdrawn by his club whose medical staff, the Italian said, felt it be better if the player got the opportunity to rest having taken “a couple of knocks” in Saturday’s defeat of Blackburn, only his second game after returning from a long-term injury.
“It is a pity,” said Trapattoni because it would have been a good opportunity for him. I like him and could have looked at him in two different positions, behind the strikers and in midfield but it is not a problem, there will be other opportunities.”
Spartak Moscow have warned Aston Villa off making any move for Ireland international winger Aiden McGeady.
Villa were rumoured to be interested in McGeady prior to his move to Russia this summer from Celtic and it has been reported they may now reignite their interest during the January transfer window.
McGeady has been hugely impressive at Spartak and the club's sporting director Dmitri Popov insists the Ireland international is not for sale.
"McGeady is certainly not for sale," said Popov. "It is not true that he is unsettled in Moscow.
"No one has approached us from Villa yet but, if they do, our answer will definitely be a no."McGeady received glowing praise this week from ex-Manchester United star Andrei Kanchelskis - "I'd give him 10 out of 10. There haven't been many better. His quality on the ball has been excellent, his pace and mobility is now Spartak's biggest threat.
"I like his attitude. He's a winner, he doesn't give up on anything. This is a quality that all top professionals need, but not every talented footballer has it. He plays 100pc for the team. It's now clear this is a player with a big, big future."
Celtic manager Neil Lennon has predicted more first-team action for young Irish international Richie Towell after his impressive debut for the Bhoys last weekend.
Dublin born Towell came off the bench to make his first competitive appearance for Celtic in Saturday's 2-2 draw with Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Lennon hopes to see Towell in the side more often.
"I thought Richie did great against Inverness," Lennon said. "I thought he was one of the bright sparks of the day. He had an abundance of energy, was good at winning the ball back and passed well throughout.
"He was also involved in Paddy McCourt's goal, which was our second. He has no reason to be critical of himself because he did exactly what we asked him to do and he can feel proud of himself.
"I would like to think that he would be involved more and more as the season progresses. We have been pretty pleased with how he has done in the last year. His level of performance has been consistent.
"We have a few players out at the moment and that maybe helped him get his chance at the weekend but, regardless of that, I am sure he will feature more and more as the season progresses."
Speaking after his impressive debut Towell said: "It was brilliant hearing the crowd's reaction and being in the middle of it all. It's what I've always dreamed of.
"It's been frustrating sitting on the bench all season and that's why I was so delighted to come on.
"I just want to show that I can compete at this level and hopefully the gaffer will give me another chance because I don't like sitting on the bench - I want to play every week.
"I thought the fans reacted well to me and I was pleased with how I did when I came on. I kept the ball and then I won the tackle for Paddy's [McCourt] goal so they were all cheering for that."
Ireland captain Robbie Keane celebrated his record breaking 126th international cap with a hat-trick as Ireland defeated the Faroe Islands 3-0 in a Group C World Cup qualifier in Dublin.
