By Cathal Dervan

ANDY Reid added another million to his valuation with a man of the match performance and a goal against Cyprus for Ireland on Saturday, then admitted his frustration that he’s still a Nottingham Forest player.

The 22-year-old Dubliner is desperate to move to the Premiership, with Spurs still favorites to land him if they can come up with at least $7.5 million.

Reid failed to move before last week’s transfer deadline and will have to wait until January before he can get away. He said, “Obviously it’s frustrating and disappointing I didn’t get to move to a Premiership club. But all I need to do is get my head down and get on with the games we have.

“I’ve said before, every time I go out on the pitch for Forest I will give everything I have — as I always have done — and look forward to these trips when I come away with Ireland.

“Coming on this trip for these two games softens the blow. It’s brilliant to come away and I can’t stop smiling every time I think about the big World Cup games coming up.

“I’ve forced my way into the Ireland squad over the last year, and my performances have been good. I’ve done enough to keep myself in the squad and push for a place in the team, while my performances at club level have been really good. 

“I won player of the year at Forest last season, and although we didn’t have a great year, I felt I did well enough.”

French Draw

NEW France boss Raymond Domenech made a less than impressive start to his reign when the former World Cup winners could only draw 1-1 with Israel in Paris on Saturday night.

Chelsea defender William Gallas had a shot cleared off the line early on, and it just got worse for the French as they struggled to break down a resolute Israel defense.

“I am pleased with the way we played if not with the result,” said Domenech. “We tried to create chances and our pattern of play was good. Of course we wanted some goals but they will come. We are building a new team here now and it will take time as I have said along. People must be patient.”

Meanwhile, Arsenal striker Thierry Henry has revealed that he nearly followed Zinedine Zidane, Marcel Desailly, Bixente Lizarazu and Lilian Thuram into retirement after the Euro 2004 flop in Portugal.

“I thought about leaving after our disappointing performance at the European Championship, but it didn’t last long and I brushed aside the idea,” said Henry.

Switzerland also kicked off their World Cup campaign on Saturday when they beat the Faroe Islands 6-0 in Basel with a hat-trick from both strikers Vonlathen and Rey. 

Harte, Dunne Disappointed

IAN Harte and Richard Dunne have both voiced their disappointment at their international absence as Ireland began their World Cup campaign with the games against Cyprus and Switzerland.

Harte, now playing with Levante in Spain, failed to earn a call up for Basel after current left-back John O’Shea was ruled out with a thigh injury.

The Drogheda-born player scored on his La Liga debut and said, “I’m not happy at not being in the squad and to be honest I don’t know whether I would have been better moving to the First Division.

“I’ve moved to the top league in Spain and I’m not picked while there are others selected, who being honest, are not even playing for their teams. More than anything, I don’t understand how he (Kerr) could name eight defenders in his squad with not one naturally left footed player. 

“Hopefully sooner rather than later my chance will come again and I’m ready to take it. I can only do my best and if I keep scoring goals in Spain he (Kerr) might change his mind.” 

Dunne spent the weekend on the beach but admitted, “I’d rather be with Ireland. I don’t know what more I have to do to get in the squad because I am playing in the Premiership every week, but I fear it may be some time before I get back.”

It’s a Given

SHAY Given believes incoming Newcastle boss Graeme Souness is big enough for the job that awaits him at St. James’s Park.

Souness was the shock appointment on Monday, a week after the club sacked former England boss Bobby Robson.

The Scot quit Blackburn after four years in the Ewood Park job to take up a “position I couldn’t turn down.”

And Given, one of three Irishmen now working for the former Rangers boss, believes Souness’ reputation as disciplinarian will stand to him.

“This is a massive club with a great fan base, a great squad and great expectations,” said Given.

“Graeme Souness has always been a winner and that’s what we need now, someone who can grab this club by the scruff of the neck and win trophies. Hopefully he can do just that.”

McAteer Retires

IRISH boss Brian Kerr has paid tribute to Jason McAteer after the Tranmere captain announced his international retirement last week after winning 52 caps in 10 years.

Kerr said, “Jason rang me to tell me he’d decided to retire but if I was stuck, he’d be glad to come in. I was delighted that firstly he rang me to tell me his decision and then to say that he could still be involved and hadn’t ruled out ever playing again. If things change and we need him, I’d be delighted to give him a call.”

McAteer claimed the decision was a hard one. “To retire from competing for your country is probably the toughest decision for any sportsman,” said the new Tranmere captain.

“I am now 33 years old and have suffered with a couple of injuries in recent years which has affected me both mentally and physically, so I feel the time is right to step aside and let the talented youngsters have a go,” he added.

Breen Attacks

GARY Breen has launched a scathing attack on some of his fellow Sunderland players after a dismal start to the new season with the Wearsiders yet to get a point away from home in the Coca-Cola Championship.

The Irish defender said, “We’ve only won once in the league. If we don’t get our act together and quickly, we’ll be too far behind to have a crack at the Premiership.

“There are no excuses. You can’t fool the fans and we’re not fooling anybody just now. You can say whatever you want in the press – players mouth off all the time – but it is what you do on the pitch that counts.

“For all our failings as a team – and a young team at that – one of them should never be our desire and determination to run around and put the effort in.”

Greece Beaten

GREECE came down to earth with a bang when they were beaten 2-1 by Albania in a World Cup qualifier in Tirana on Saturday, with both the home goals coming inside the first 10 minutes from Edvin Bolton. Giannakopoulos pulled a goal back after 38 minutes but the Greeks failed to create any clear chances in the second half. 

Ronaldo scored one and made the second for Pauleta at Portugal beat Latvia 2-0. Northern Ireland were abysmal in their 3-0 defeat at home to Poland, while group rivals England led 2-0 before drawing 2-2 in Austria after another clanger from goalkeeper David James.

Wales led through Gary Speed in Azerbaijan, but only drew 1-1 in the same group.

Italy scraped a 2-1 Group Five win over Norway in Palermo thanks to an 80th minute winner from Luca Toni.

Rovers Boss Quits

LIAM Buckley quit as manager of Shamrock Rovers on Monday night after successive defeats at the hands of Longford Town in the FAI Cup and St. Patrick’s Athletic in the league.

A club statement said, “SRFC have reached agreement with Liam Buckley on the termination of his contract. Liam, with immediate effect, will relinquish all his responsibilities with the club.”

Noel Synott will take temporary charge of the club while current assistant manager Liam O’Brien is a leading contender for the job.

Youths Win

IRELAND’S under-21 side stretched their unbeaten run to three games with a 3-0 win over Cyprus in their European Championship opener on Friday night.

Kevin Doyle, John Fitzgerald and were on the score sheet, and manager Don Givens was more than happy with the start.

“It was great to start the campaign at home with three points in the bag. The second half performance was particularly pleasing,” said Givens. 

O’Shea’s Injury

JOHN O’Shea could miss Manchester United’s clash with Bolton on Saturday after picking up a thigh injury in Ireland’s win over Cyprus. O’Shea missed the trip to Switzerland as a result.

Irish boss Brian Kerr revealed, “John O’Shea had a scan on Sunday which revealed a small tear on his lower thigh muscle, just above the knee. As there was too little time for him to recover before Wednesday’s game he did not travel to Switzerland with the squad.” 

Soccer Shorts

SHELBOURNE have signed Argentinean striker Juan Sara in time for their UEFA Cup clash first round first leg clash with Lille at Lansdowne Road next week. Sara previously played with Reggiana in Italy and Dundee in Scotland . 

BRAY Wanderers are set to lose center-half Wes Charles for four of their closing First Division games eircom First Division as he goes on World Cup duty with St. Vincent and the Grenadines . . .

DUNDALK have appointed former FAI general secretary Sean Connolly as their new chief executive. Veteran players Paul Curran and Garry Haylock have left the club . . .

THE government have signed a contract with the IRFU and the FAI to redevelop Lansdowne Road as the new national stadium at a cost of almost $350 million . . .

IRISH international Thomas Butler has undergone trials with Dunfermline and Wolves after quitting Sunderland at the end of last season . . .

IRISH under-21 international Keith Foy has switched to Monaghan United from Dublin City