Updated at 18.36
MARTIN O’NEILL SAYS that Seamus Coleman will meet up with the Ireland squad ahead of their crunch World Cup qualifier with Austria next month.
Ireland are currently training at Fota Island Resort in Cork, but O’Neill was in Dublin to speak to The Nicky Byrne Show on 2FM.
“I was speaking to him just a few days ago,” said the Derry man.
“He is really up for [joining up with the squad] and he is going to come over and join us for a few days before the Austria game, which would be a massive lift for the players.
He is a top class captain. You talk to him around the hotel for a couple of days, he’s self-effacing.
“Then he goes into the dressing room and he’s a different character completely.”
O’Neill also said Coleman is well able to divide his loyalties when it comes to any disagreement between the Ireland boss and Everton manager Ronald Koeman.
“I think Seamus can divide the two up. Obviously, his bread and butter — as they say — is club football. That’s where he earns his living.
But Seamus has obviously got great pride wearing the shirt for Ireland. When he is over in Ireland I think he has total concentration on that and when he goes back there, it’s club football.
“I think he feels ‘let the two of them argue and I’ll just stay out of it’,” said O’Neill.
As Coleman recovers from a broken leg sustained against Wales, O’Neill added that the 28-year old’s mental strength was proving just as important as his physical toughness.
“He is coming to terms with the injury, which is the most important thing. He is very strong mentally and I think things are going well physically for him as well, so that’s great news.
I went to see him a couple of weeks ago when he was still in Donegal. He was really, really upbeat.
“He has really good people around him.
“Obviously his family is very, very strong and Seamus of all people — even though you wouldn’t know because off the field he is pretty shy and a really nice lad — he’s got a real steely determination.
“I don’t think he would have got into a position of one of the best full-backs in Europe if he hadn’t that steely determination. That’ll carry him through.”
You can listen to the full interview here.
Hoping Alan gives it another year at least!! Although this year didn’t end well, he was amazing. Definitely has it in him to stay on and be “the wise old head” for all these young lads coming through the ranks.
Hope Alan stays a great player gives it his
Bernard Brogan loves to get his mush in the media lately
He’s only answering questions put to him by the media. What do you think he should do in that situation?
Andrea, if Bernard ignored the media I’m sure yaya would have an even bigger problem with him!!
He could not answer. Not like he’s being forced. Maybe if he spent less time talking to them and more time playing Dublin wouldn’t have been hammered by Donegal
You must be an expert, Steven? You should apply for the managers jobs when it becomes available. And to think we could have won the All Ireland this year if Bernard had just taken a vow of silence!!!
Ya the most important thing is they didn’t win it. They got beat out the game in a game that showed how overrated the golden boy really is
Yes Steven. 2 All Irelands and 2 leagues in the space of 3 years!! Hardly the yardstick of success, is it? As the guy in your photo might say, “D’oh” :)
Ps Steven, the most important thing from this years All Ireland is the fact that Kerry lowered themselves beyond the level of puke football. The purists in Kerry will loath how it was won. But don’t worry, Dublin and Mayo will keep playing the game the way it should be played. We won’t lower ourselves to the level that Kerry and Donegal have ;)
Yet none this year. Remember how Dublin were supposed to be unbeatable? Then again the only reason they lost this year was because they didn’t show up. Bernard said that so it has to be true. Not a good sign of dublins supposed underage superstars if they still need the two of them
No the most important thing is Kerry won. Also your 6 backs playing in position is puke football now? Seeing as that’s what happened Sunday, or did you miss that?
Can’t win it every year lad. Every 2nd year will do for me. Áth Cliath abú!!
The fact is annoys you so much makes it all the sweeter ;)
It doesn’t annoy me buddy. I’m a Dub, it’s not in our nature to be bitter!! Add to that that I’m sipping a pint in Dublin Airport right now means you couldn’t be further from the truth a chara ;)
Not bitter? Your comments would say otherwise
Shame to see this Culchie spite from a Kerry supporter, we usually get it from the counties that never win anything, most Kerry people realise they have no reason to be jealous of others success or sneer when they fall short. The only people claiming Dublin were unbeatable were the media and fair weather supporters.
Well said Gavan. Steven wouldn’t be representative of the Kerry people I’d know. I reckon he’s a kid who needs to grow up and stop being so childish.
All