Keane Gives Blessing to Venables

Irish Voice Sport

Keane Gives Blessing to Venables

December 13, 2007

by Cathal Dervan

SUNDERLAND boss and former Irish midfielder Roy Keane has given Terry Venables his seal of approval in his bid to become the next Ireland manager.

Sunderland boss Keane has backed Venables as the man to replace Steve Staunton as El Tel prepares to meet the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) headhunters.

Keane has gone public as Don Givens, Don Howe and Ray Houghton commence interviews with the key candidates.

The trio have been told that the next man in must have international management or Premier League experience by FAI Chief Executive John Delaney.

Venables fits the bill on both counts, and Keane’s endorsement of his credentials is a major feather in the former England manager’s cap.

“Why not Terry Venables for Ireland?” Keane asked Star Sunday. “I’ve been told he has a very good chance — and why not? He has vast experience. I know there have been complaints and different people have opinions, and that’s the beauty of football.

“If someone was to tell me that Terry Venables could help improve Irish football, then why not? He has good experience. People keep talking about experience. Steve Staunton was criticized for not having the experience, so some people are never going to be pleased, no matter who you employ.

“But if Terry Venables was to get it, with his vast experience, you can’t buy that. Obviously I’ve heard some feedback from one or two of the players that they fancy him, then why not?”

Several pundits, including Keane’s biographer, have questioned Venables suitability due to his business history, but the former Ireland captain has no issue with his past or his Englishness.

“We’ve gone down the road of Steve Staunton and we had Brian Kerr before that. It didn’t quite work out, but I truly believe that, if a manager comes in and does well, people would get over the fact that someone’s from England,” Keane said.

“Bobby Robson has been working with Steve Staunton, and as far as I know he’s English, isn’t he? I think most fans would be more interested in the results than what nationality a manager was.

“But, then again, if things didn’t go well, unfortunately that would be the first thing thrown at him.

“But we’ve tried it both ways. Obviously the most successful time would have been under Jack, and Jack’s an Englishman and he did very well for Irish football.

“What managers are out there? I’ve said before that David O’Leary would do a good job — Dave’s Irish.”

Former Irish coach Chris Hughton has also backed Venables for the job. “Venables has a wealth of experience and he has an aura about him. I’ve got no doubts that were he to come in, he would instantly get the respect of the players,” Hughton said.

Meanwhile, Liam Brady’s chances of landing the Irish manager’s job have taken a tumble after Delaney revealed that Staunton’s successor must have international or top Premiership management experience.

Delaney, who has briefed the selection committee of Givens, Don and Houghton on the credentials for the vacant Ireland job, is adamant that the FAI will not accept a new boss with no top flight experience.

“We want someone who has actually managed internationally or managed at a high level in terms of premiership football be it in England or in a European country,” confirmed Delaney.

“I think it is important that we appoint somebody who would have managed at that level. That is one of the key criteria. We have got to look at their record over a period of time in management.

“This is a football appointment and to be fair what we want is the best person to manage Ireland from a football perspective.

“There are a number of criteria that I have worked on intensively over the past month and I have given to the interview panel with the help of the board and the help of people in football.

McGeady’s Honor

CELTIC and Ireland winger Aiden McGeady has been named the Scottish League’s player of the month for November after guiding the Bhoys onwards in their search for domestic and European honors.

McGeady starred as Celtic qualified for the last 16 of the Champions League, but the Irish youngster is anxious to stay away from Arsenal in the knock-out stages.

“I think I would like to avoid Arsenal because they are capable of beating anybody right now,” McGeady said.

“Parkhead is a formidable fortress at the minute but I think Arsenal could come here, have 70% of the ball and just play us off the park, to be honest with you. They are undoubtedly one of the strongest teams in Europe at the moment.

“If you look around every area of their team they are all either fast, fit or strong. I think they are up there with the very best at the moment and yet they are also such a young team. From one to 11, every player, in every position, has what it takes to become one of the top talents in Europe.”

Veteran centre-back Steven Pressley has insisted that the Parkhead club are not in the last 16 of the Champions League just to make up the numbers.

The experienced defender said, “To qualify through to the last 16 again considering the budgets of the other teams is a remarkable achievement. There is a desire to progress past the last 16.

“We are not just there to make the numbers up. We want success at this club and we aim to progress. Qualification is success but we want more of that and we can think about the last eight, absolutely.”

Meanwhile, McGeady was denied a sure goal by St. Mirren keeper Chris Smith in Saturday’s disappointing 1-1 draw at Parkhead when a late goal from substitute Derek Riordain spared Celtic’s blushes after a Stephen McGinn opener in the 73rd minute.

“The one thing we were lacking today was quality,” said manager Gordon Strachan after the 1-1 draw. “We never lacked work-rate but quality was our problem today and quality is what wins you games.

“We got into some lovely positions and got up the park no problem, but our quality was poor. It was better in the second half but, because we didn’t score early, St. Mirren started to enjoy the game.

“The quality so far in the league has been very, very good but today it wasn’t there and that can happen in football.”

Celtic striker Maciej Zurawski could move to join David Beckham at the LA Galaxy after falling out of favor at Parkhead.

Soccer Shorts

FORMER Ireland boss Mick McCarthy has pledged his future to Wolves and signed a new long term contract with the club after turning down the chance to take over as manager of South Korea. “I was very flattered to be contacted but I have always been committed to the job at Wolves and I’m staying,” said McCarthy . . .

DUNDALK have signed versatile defender Ian Ryan, midfielders David Cassidy and David O’Connor and forward Paul Shiels from Shamrock Rovers along with goalkeeper Aaron Shanahan from Kilkenny City and striker Robbie Farrell from Monaghan United . . .

FORMER Irish team consultant Bobby Robson picked up the Lifetime Achievement award at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards on Sunday . . .

PAT Dolan has been offered a huge financial package to return to his old job as manager of Cork City, according to reports in Monday’s papers . . .

ALAN Matthews has resigned as manager of relegated Longford Town just a week after they lost the FAI Cup final to Cork City . . .

STEPHEN Kenny has been linked with a return to Derry City after he was sacked as manager of Dunfermline . . .

SUNDERLAND striker Daryl Murphy is set to move to QPR when the transfer window opens in January . . .

COLCHESTER’S Irish winger Mark Yeates has been linked with a move to Crystal Palace . . .

NEW Derby boss Paul Jewell wants to sign his former Wigan player Kevin Kilbane . . .

SHAMROCK Rovers have signed striker Dessie Baker from relegated Longford Town.

Sports Shorts

ATHLETICS: Ireland’s Fionnuala Britton finished seventh in the ladies race and Martin Fagan filled the same spot in the men’s race at the European Cross Country Championships in Spain on Sunday. Linda Byrne from Rathfarnham finished sixth in the women’s under-23 race, David McCarthy from Waterford was ninth in the men’s junior race and Andrew Ledwith from Meath was tenth in the men’s under-23 race . . .

MOTOR RACING: The FIA have confirmed that Rally Ireland will be the first event of the year in 2009 with the event scheduled to run from 29 January to 1 February . . .

GOLF: Caddy Billy Foster has parted company with Darren Clarke and will now work with Spain’s Sergio Garcia on the European Tour next season.

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