HEARTS BOSS DANIEL Stendel’s latest comments on Glenn Whelan will make for ominous reading for Irish football fans.
The 35-year-old Dubliner has been a regular for Mick McCarthy’s Ireland side during their Euro 2020 qualifying campaign, but Whelan now appears surplus to requirements at his club.
The former Stoke player has made 17 appearances in total for Hearts and featured in the first three of Stendel’s games in charge for the club, who are currently bottom of the Scottish Premiership table.
However, the experienced midfielder, who has 91 Ireland caps and only joined the club on a one-year deal after being released by Aston Villa in the summer, was left out of their squad for their loss to Hibs on St Stephen’s Day, while he also won’t be involved for Sunday’s clash at home to Aberdeen.
And asked about the player’s absence, Stendel — who was appointed earlier this month following Craig Levein’s sacking in October — appeared to question Whelan’s leadership qualities and suggested he would not be part of his plans for the remainder of the campaign.
“I can say he is a good type,” he told reporters. “He wants to take the responsibility but I have seen only three games. Do you have the feeling he is a leader in this group? It’s not Glenn’s fault — but a real leader in the centre of the pitch? Sorry. Maybe I missed it. Michael Smith tries to take responsibility on the pitch.
“Before I came here, they signed some players who have experience and are the right age to take the responsibility but maybe they are not fit at the moment or they cannot handle the situation at the moment.”
With a vital play-off semi with Slovakia coming up on 26 March, Whelan may now need to find a new club in January as he bids to feature for the pivotal clash in Bratislava, with the winner of the match set to play Bosnia and Herzegovina or Northern Ireland in the final on 31 March.
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Fair play to him taking these chances and holding his place. He will be tested in the air as will Lowe and Larmour this weekend but we’ll able to ride it out.
It’s great to see players using the 7′s area as a way to add new strings to their bow. He has had a really good season and with he opportunities given by Leo has grabbed them with both hands.
Hopefully he continues to get better.
Such a pity they couldn’t celebrate properly. A lot of dry legs in McSorleys that night.
Great player with all the required skills. Himself & Shane Daly will be pushing Larmour hard for the Ireland 15 shirt after next season.
@Daithí O’ Donnabhain: I’d say its between Stockdale Larmour and Conway
@Rudiger McMonihan: yup between those 3 for now, but Keenan & Daly both have what it takes to challange if they stay fit & in form.
Larmour is being backed by Leinster & Ireland as our 15. Can’t see Conway at 15, Munster won’t play him there & need him more on the wing. Stockdale is being tried @ 15 up North, so with more experience he’s definitely an option. Keenan & Daly will definitely come into the mix though. Stockdale & Keenan are both 24 & Larmour & Daly both 23, some excellent quality from those four to build on, plus they all cover fullback & wing.
@Daithí O’ Donnabhain: they are great in the air and defence but dont offer enough in attack for me. Farrell and whoever succeeds him might not be looking for that style of FB though. I must admit, I thought stockdale was older than that. Its amazing how much hes accomplished becoming one of the senior ulster players and a nailed on irish starter in such a short period.
Fastest player in Leinster apparently !
100% a winger