BATTLE-hardened veterans will get the nod over promising youngsters like Tottenham Hotspur striker Troy Parrot and Millwall midfielder Jayson Molumby in next month’s Euro 2020 play-offs.
Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy says experienced players like Glenn Whelan (aged 36 and now playing his football at Fleetwood Town) have “the edge” on rookies as the Boys in Green head into a Path B semi-final against Slovakia on March 26.
Victory in that game will set up another away trip against the winners of the Bosnia-Herzegovina versus Northern Ireland semi-final five days later and McCarthy says he wants tried and tested personnel in his team for the do-or-die fixtures.
Parrott recently signed a new contract at Spurs but his lack of first team exposure means he is unlikely to feature in Bratislava and although McCarthy was impressed when he watched Molumby, on loan from Brighton, play for Millwall against West Brom on Sunday, he thinks the Waterford native is one for the future.
“He played well,” said McCarthy.
“They’re really pleased with him at Millwall. Strangely enough, I understand the size of the task making your debut as a senior international and I made it as a hard-nosed pro. What was I? 25? With nearly 300 league games under my belt.
“I knew what it meant and even more so when I got to Denmark and it’s a World Cup qualifier – (it’s a) different ball game altogether. So Glenn, for me, who has been probably the star man in three or four of our games, he has the edge on those, without any doubt.”
However, Southampton striker Shane Long and Crystal Palace midfielder James McCarthy could both come into the frame for the trip to Slovakia. Long (82 caps) and McCarthy (41) are both vastly-experienced players and have both forced their way back into their club sides.
“He (McCarthy) has played before, he wouldn’t be coming in and making a debut,” said the Republic manager.
“It wouldn’t be alien to him and all new to him. He wouldn’t be nervous about it so there is an exception for him, yeah.”
However, Glasgow-born former Everton midfielder McCarthy has turned down previous invitations to link-up with his namesake’s squads.
“I think because of his injuries he’s probably been a little bit hesitant in coming in and playing,” said Mick McCarthy.
“Maybe he thought he wouldn’t be playing and wanted to get back his club form first. He’s got that back. It’s whether I pick him now or not. We’ll see.
“There’s two or three times I’ve selected him and he’s not come it for whatever reason, whether it was his injury or he wanted to get his form back, didn’t think he was ready. We’ll see now.”
Another headache for McCarthy is who to play at full-back. He currently has three Premier League players - Seamus Coleman (Everton), Matt Doherty (Wolves) and Enda Stevens (Sheffield United – vying for two spots. Coleman is the team captain and Stevens has nailed down the left-back slot so can he find a place for Doherty who has been in excellent form for Wolves? McCarthy played Coleman and Doherty both on the right side in the qualifier against Gibraltar but didn’t think the experiment was a success.
"It didn't work, it didn't,” he said.
“And the shape of the team did not work either, 4-4-2. We had two strikers on and had less attempts on goal.
"Four-three-three is not necessarily two wide players - we've played that way and had more chances. It didn't work and it's not what I have looked at. But I will consider all my options, of course I will."
Another concern for former Republic of Ireland skipper and centre-back McCarthy is the lack of game-time Robbie Brady has been given at Burnley. Dubliner Brady did start the FA Cup tie against Norwich but he has spent most of this season on the bench.
"It's a concern if players are not playing and Robbie certainly comes into that bracket at the moment as he has not played for a long time,” said McCarthy.
“It was the same in November and we are now in February and he is still not playing. So it makes it difficult for him."
