ROB ELLIOT RECEIVED a bit of good news from members of the media when he walked into the press room at FAI headquarters this afternoon.
Martin O’Neill had just informed journalists that goalkeeping duties would be split between the Newcastle United man and West Ham’s Darren Randolph for these latest friendlies with Switzerland (Friday) and Slovakia (Tuesday) as his plan is to play one in each of the games.
The information was then relayed to Elliot, who had just arrived in alongside Alex Pearce, and the 29-year-old expressed his delight at being given what will effectively be a Euro 2016 audition.
“That’s the first I’ve heard,” Elliot said. “If that’s what he (O’Neill) has said then it is great to get an opportunity to play. To represent your country is always good and with the Euros coming up it’s a good chance to impress the manager.
As I’ve been playing every week at Newcastle I knew that I had more of a chance coming in, but still you’ve got to work hard here.
“Any opportunities you get to impress the manager you’ve got to take. I’m just really looking forward to coming in because I haven’t been here for awhile with the injury so it’s good to be back training with the boys.”
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For so long the back-up to Tim Krul at club level, English-born Elliot has grabbed a rare run in the team with two hands since the Dutchman’s season-ending injury back in October.
And while Newcastle have endured a frustrating season and languish 19th in the Premier League table at present, the former Charlton Athletic stopper has been one of the few players to enhance his reputation in 2016.
They have seven games to beat the drop and rescue their top flight status under Rafael Benitez, but Elliot is glad to have the distraction of international football this week.
“There’s a lot going on at Newcastle at the moment and stepping away from that has been nice,” he said. “I’m looking forward to hopefully going to the Euros and it’s a different environment catching up with all the boys I haven’t seen for awhile.
It’s a lot more relaxing and I’m just trying to enjoy it by getting a break from Newcastle and concentrating on Ireland before we go back and switch on for the end of the season.”
On Newcastle, he added: “We’ve got a real good group of lads and really good people. Maybe we lack a bit of experience sometimes, we’ve got a lot of younger players. There’s always 100% given but we just need to make sure to be more consistent.
“Rafa Benitez has said that since he has come in as well — It’s the consistency that we need to hit.”
Eliot has made 22 appearances for the Magpies this season. PA Archive / Press Association Images
PA Archive / Press Association Images / Press Association Images
With Shay Given recovering from injury and Keiren Westwood left out, O’Neill went for a trio of Randolph, Elliot and David Forde as he gets another look at his goalkeepers ahead of this summer’s European Championships.
Randolph is favourite to start against Sweden at the Stade de France on 13 June, while Given may come back into the squad as he brings a wealth of experience, but Elliot is right in the mix thanks to his club form.
It’s completely up for grabs,” he explained. “We’ve got a massive squad and even Shay isn’t here so it’s great to have depth in numbers.
“Playing every week has given me the opportunity to be be involved in the question. That’s what I’m pleased about, that I’ve been given the chance to compete for the number one jersey.
“There’s a long way to go between now and May/June/July. I just need to make sure I’m doing it week on week and the rest takes care of itself.”
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Elliot handed golden opportunity to stake his claim for Ireland number 1 shirt
ROB ELLIOT RECEIVED a bit of good news from members of the media when he walked into the press room at FAI headquarters this afternoon.
Martin O’Neill had just informed journalists that goalkeeping duties would be split between the Newcastle United man and West Ham’s Darren Randolph for these latest friendlies with Switzerland (Friday) and Slovakia (Tuesday) as his plan is to play one in each of the games.
The information was then relayed to Elliot, who had just arrived in alongside Alex Pearce, and the 29-year-old expressed his delight at being given what will effectively be a Euro 2016 audition.
“That’s the first I’ve heard,” Elliot said. “If that’s what he (O’Neill) has said then it is great to get an opportunity to play. To represent your country is always good and with the Euros coming up it’s a good chance to impress the manager.
“Any opportunities you get to impress the manager you’ve got to take. I’m just really looking forward to coming in because I haven’t been here for awhile with the injury so it’s good to be back training with the boys.”
For so long the back-up to Tim Krul at club level, English-born Elliot has grabbed a rare run in the team with two hands since the Dutchman’s season-ending injury back in October.
And while Newcastle have endured a frustrating season and languish 19th in the Premier League table at present, the former Charlton Athletic stopper has been one of the few players to enhance his reputation in 2016.
They have seven games to beat the drop and rescue their top flight status under Rafael Benitez, but Elliot is glad to have the distraction of international football this week.
“There’s a lot going on at Newcastle at the moment and stepping away from that has been nice,” he said. “I’m looking forward to hopefully going to the Euros and it’s a different environment catching up with all the boys I haven’t seen for awhile.
On Newcastle, he added: “We’ve got a real good group of lads and really good people. Maybe we lack a bit of experience sometimes, we’ve got a lot of younger players. There’s always 100% given but we just need to make sure to be more consistent.
“Rafa Benitez has said that since he has come in as well — It’s the consistency that we need to hit.”
With Shay Given recovering from injury and Keiren Westwood left out, O’Neill went for a trio of Randolph, Elliot and David Forde as he gets another look at his goalkeepers ahead of this summer’s European Championships.
Randolph is favourite to start against Sweden at the Stade de France on 13 June, while Given may come back into the squad as he brings a wealth of experience, but Elliot is right in the mix thanks to his club form.
“Playing every week has given me the opportunity to be be involved in the question. That’s what I’m pleased about, that I’ve been given the chance to compete for the number one jersey.
“There’s a long way to go between now and May/June/July. I just need to make sure I’m doing it week on week and the rest takes care of itself.”
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