McGeady into senior squad?

**tetsujin1979** · 14/05/2004, 9:05 AM

from the independent:

BRIAN KERR is ready to show Celtic striker Aiden McGeady that his future lies with Ireland rather than Scotland.

The Scots have been desperately trying to persuade the Irish youth international to declare for them following his sensational debut for Celtic last month.

But McGeady has so far rebuffed their approaches and should get his reward this afternoon when he is included in Kerr's squad for the end of season friendlies against Romania, Nigeria, Jamaica and Holland.

Kerr brought Glasgow-born McGeady into the Irish camp several years ago when he was youth team manager after discovering that the youngster, who has been at Parkhead since he was 10, had Donegal grandparents.

Now he's set to hand McGeady a chance to emulate Robbie Keane and Damien Duff by jumping straight into the senior squad without working his way through the U21s.

Kerr is expected to name a squad of up to 30 players to cover the demands of playing four games in three countries within a ten day period. He may be without the likes of Sunderland's Gary Breen and Jason McAteer or West Ham's David Connolly for the first two games depending on who wins their play-off semi-final.

Manchester City's Richard Dunne is a non-runner as he requires surgery on a persistent groin problem while Damien Duff is recovering from a shoulder operation.

But Roy Keane, who was forced to withdraw at the 11th hour from the squad that flew to Poland last month because of a hamstring injury, will be included and should play at least one of the four matches.

Younger players like Graham Barrett, Michael Doyle and Jonathon Douglas, who were late call ups for the Poland game, stand a good chance of keeping their places in the squad.

**Plastic Paddy** · 14/05/2004, 9:10 AM

I hope he does. McGeady has been excellent in the outings he's had in the first XI at Celtic. I expect to see a lot more of him next season, and a full cap even at this early stage would do wonders for the boy's confidence.

PP

only1kilbane · 14/05/2004, 9:17 AM

Id say with the amount of withdrawls there undoubtedly will be a lot of players like Mc Geady will be added to a large squad with the fact of 4 games in 9 days its no harm really. Will need a large squad really to cope for all these games .

**finlma** · 14/05/2004, 9:32 AM

I think this is a great chance to get him into the international set-up at an early age so he gets to learn the ropes. We should use these friendlies to try out a lot of the younger fringe players.

**Bowsy** · 14/05/2004, 10:10 AM

A lot of games in a short space of time gives us a chance to experiment and use players who wouldn't normally get a chance(ie Douglas, Byrne, McGeady, etc). Been a lot of talk of B internationals on this forum but the Unity Cup could serve the same purpose. No matter what side we put out neither Jamaice or Nigeria are going to spank us and the result is really not that important.

**1MickCollins** · 15/05/2004, 7:40 PM

McGeady is in the senior squad for one reason, he was going to make his U-21 debut against Scotland on May 25 - but that could cause some backlash, there already has been a lot of crap thrown at the kid for his decision to throw his lot in with the ROI. Of course the fuss is because he is so highly rated, all it takes is one senior cap and hopefully that will be an end to the hoopla.