JOHN O’Shea has offered a stout defence of the overall quality of the Republic of Ireland squad and believes people were being “too derogatory” towards the players and urged the media to get behind the team.
O’Shea was responding to a journalist who questioned the standard of midfielders currently at Ireland’s disposal as the side prepare for their away visits to Finland and Greece in the Uefa Nations League.
Throughout Stephen Kenny’s reign, there was an absence of genuine quality in midfield as he eased out the likes of Conor Hourihane and Jeff Hendrick and entrusted the new generation including Josh Cullen, Jason Knight and William Smallbone.
New Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson also observed after last month’s back-to-back defeats to England and Greece that a lot of Irish players were of similar quality and that they didn’t currently possess any world class stars.
Clearly irked by the suggestion of a lack of quality in the central area, O’Shea said: “We need to get away from almost that negative aspect of positions in the team and the squad, and players.
“The dedication and the sacrifice that every player, and the levels these players are playing at, is sometimes forgotten about.
“They are really good players, playing at a really good level, and I think it’s a bit of - not a nonsense - but we are too derogatory towards these players.
“They are really good players playing at a really good level, and they are showing dedication, they want to come and play for Ireland, we should be getting behind them a bit more.”
Hallgrimsson must finding a winning combination among his chosen midfielders, Cullen, Knight, Jason Molumby, Middlesbrough’s Finn Azaz, new boy Jack Taylor and Jamie McGrath of Aberdeen for Thursday’s clash against Finland in Helsinki.
O’Shea’s two meetings with the Irish media have been fractious affairs since he was installed assistant manager after a period as interim boss.
Last month, the former Manchester United defender became annoyed when the media questioned why he was conducting the pre-match press conference ahead of the Greece game rather than the manager.
O’Shea was also forced to go on the defensive on Monday after Hallgrimsson’s decision to omit experienced defender Matt Doherty from this international window raised a few eyebrows, particularly with fellow right-back Seamus Coleman ruled out through injury.
“The manager has spoken about it and spoken to the players this morning in terms of showing the next windows, international windows, and the chances we have to see some newer faces, try some newer lads in positions - but in the sense of realising how important winning games are, and the rankings and the confidence and all of that type of thing leading up to the World Cup draw.
“There is still an emphasis on winning games, too, but also trying a bit of new combinations, new understandings, and getting that in as quickly as possible because next year you mightn’t be able to do that.
“Obviously, injuries and suspensions happen so lads have to be tested, lads have to be seen at the level and hopefully respond to it.
“‘Doc’ in particular, he’s definitely still in the plans. You respond well and hopefully performances lead to a tough squad to pick, that everyone gives the manager a tough decision to make. That’s the key.”
