By Cathal Dervan

Ireland manager Stephen Staunton has called on youth to kick start his bid for European Championship qualification in San Marino next week and promised the kids, “If you’re good enough you will play.”

The Irish boss has called seven uncapped players into his squad for the game against bottom of the table San Marino on Wednesday, February 7, with Anthony Stokes, Andy Keogh, Darron Gibson, Stephen Hunt, Stephen Quinn, Shane Long and young Charlton keeper Darren Randolph all included.

Missing through injury are Shay Given, Kevin Doyle and Andy Reid, while Paddy Kenny has asked not to be selected and Staunton has dropped the likes of Andy O’Brien, Alan Lee, Liam Miller and Clinton Morrison. Ian Harte and Newcastle’s Stephen Carr both return following injury.

“We have to progress and the only way the younger ones are going to learn is by coming in to train with us and see how they handle it,” said Staunton.

“I said when I got the job that we would need to blood young players. This day has been coming for some time and it is up to them now to show me that they should be in the starting 11.

“I knew taking this job that there would be a transition and we’ve been working hard behind scenes for 18 months scouting players in England, Scotland and Ireland. I have a good idea of what’s out there and what’s emerging behind them.

“I’ve picked the lads that I think can step up to the mark over the next 18 months and put pressure on those who are more regularly in the squad.

“Anyone who has been chosen is in there on merit. We’ll have to see how they cope with the situation and this might be a little injection to the senior players and give them a boost.”

New Sunderland signing Stokes is the pick of the crop of youngsters who will be unveiled in San Marino, with Staunton also excited by Manchester United midfielder Darron Gibson, currently on loan at Royal Antwerp in Belgium.

The Ireland boss added, “Anthony Stokes is one that has come to our attention. Unfortunately, he’s played only one game since he went to Sunderland because of injury but their manager Roy Keane assures me he’ll be okay for next week.

“Andy Keogh is another who has played well and scored a few goals before his move to Wolves last week and Stephen Hunt and Shane Long are not doing bad at Reading.

“I had a chat with Alex Ferguson about Darron Gibson, who is on loan in Belgium with Royal Antwerp. He thinks it will do him the world of good to come over and train with us and see how he does.

“He impressed me in the B International even though he only played about half the match. He had a niggling knee injury but is over that and played for his club at the weekend.

“What I like about him is that he’s an all-round midfielder. He’s got plenty of potential -- a big strong lad who has a bit of everything needed to be a player.

“Alex Ferguson doesn’t feel he’s ready for international games at this moment in time, which is a fair call from a man of his experience, but we’ll take him to get him part of the squad.”

Sheffield United keeper Kenny asked not to be picked for the San Marino game as he tries to patch up his marriage, meaning Wayne Henderson will start in San Marino with Darren Randolph of Charlton and Nicky Colgan of Barnsley as back-up.

“I thought Darren Randolph was excellent for us in the B international against Scotland and has all the attributes to be a top ‘keeper in the future,” added Staunton.

“He's highly thought of at Charlton Athletic and has done well in the last few reserve team matches.”

Staunton, with four points from four games, is looking to win Wednesday’s game and added, “The most important thing is that we get the win, but we should have enough to go there and win by a couple.”

The Republic of Ireland squad to play San Marino is: Henderson (Brighton), Colgan (Barnsley), Ran-dolph (Charlton), Finnan (Liverpool), Harte (Levante), McShane (West Brom), Dunne (Manchester City), Carr (Newcastle United), O'Shea, (Manchester United), Douglas (Leeds United), Carsley (Everton), McGeady (Celtic), Duff (Newcastle United), Kilbane (Wigan), Keane (Totten-ham), Ireland (Manchester City), Gibson (Royal Antwerp), Quinn (Sheffield United), Keogh (Wolves), Hunt (Reading), Stokes (Sunderland), Elliott (Sunderland), Quinn (Sheffield United), Long (Reading).

Celtic for U.S.

Celtic are off to the U.S. again this summer and will provide the opposition in the 2007 MLS all-star game in Colorado on Thursday, July 19 at the Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City.

The Bhoys, who moved closer to the title with a last gasp 2-1 win at Inverness on Sunday, will cross the Atlantic with the full blessing of manager Gordon Strachan.

“We have to do these things because the money that is being bandied about in England these days is truly phenomenal. So we have to generate funds some other way so we can pay more for players,” said Strachan.

“It’s not like we are going to some God-forsaken place and having to earn some money –- it’s rather civilized. I wanted to go back to America if the tour was based around what I was after for the players.

“We learned lessons from last year and hopefully we can go and enjoy America in a more relaxed fashion.”

Celtic are still talking to striker Shaun Maloney about a new deal, but captain Neil Lennon has admitted he is still in the dark over his playing options for next season.

Strachan completed his third signing of the January transfer window on Friday when he recruited defender Jean-Joel Perrier-Doumbe from Rennes.

But the Bhoys have failed with a £4 million offer for Hibernian duo Scott Brown and Kevin Thomson.

Midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura has refuted reports claiming he wants to leave Parkhead this summer to return to Japan.

Nakamura told the Hoops' website, celticfc.net, “This story is absolute nonsense. I am very happy at Celtic and I am very much looking forward to all the challenges which lie ahead at the club.”

Duff’s Promise

Damien Duff has pledged his future to Newcastle United and promised to finally produce the form that persuaded the club to sign him from Chelsea last summer after finally overcoming a knee injury.

Duff said, “Newcastle fans certainly have not seen the best of me and it’s been a very frustrating two months. Even when I was playing before my injury, I would not say I was at my sharpest.

“I did not really have a pre-season and it’s only when I look back now that I realize I maybe was a yard off the pace. But I am working hard to get back to my best and I am sure the fans will see that.

“I am going nowhere because I love it up here and I am desperate to do well for the club. Goals have always been a part of my game and I have always enjoyed scoring them.

“I scored quite a few at Chelsea and I am looking to get back on the scoresheet as soon as possible for Newcastle.”

O’Leary’s Desire

David O’Leary, in Dublin to launch a new heart unit at the Mater Hospital, has again repeated his desire to one day manage the Irish national team.

“I hope one day to be able to manage my country and that would be the icing on the cake for me when you have finished in senior club positions,” said O’Leary. “That’s what you dream about but for me it’s about getting day-to-day management out of my system first.

“You hear Jose Mourinho talking about wanting to manage Portugal eventually –- that’s what I always wanted to do but I feel I have unfinished business at club level first.

“I want to return to management but it’s got to be the right job. I’ve enjoyed my break because Villa was a hard job, it was a demanding club to manage. The last year there was very hard, because it was a time when they were trying to sell the club.”

Shelbourne Debt

Reports on Tuesday have suggested that troubled eircom League champions Shelbourne are now in debt to the tune of a staggering £12 million.

The problematic club now have only one player registered and are still without a manager just a month before they are due in Setanta Cup action, although reports on Tuesday night suggested they may opt out of the cross border Setanta competition.

The FAI met on Tuesday night to debate Shelbourne’s current predicament which could yet see them relegated to the First Division and ruled out of the Champions League as they no longer meet the UEFA license criteria.

Finbar Flood has taken over as interim chairman of the Reds after owner Ollie Byrne was hospitalized with a brain tumour.

Soccer Shorts

Colin Hawkins has completed his return to Coventry City from Shelbourne, 10 years after he first left the English club. Hawkins said, “It’s very exciting to be here again. It is ten years since I left the City so it’s a great opportunity for me and I’m delighted to be here.” . . .

BOHEMIANS have added to their squad with a return for Irish international striker Glen Crowe from troubled Shelbourne. Crowe returns to Dalymount on a three-year deal and will join up with the squad at a training camp in Barcelona this week . . .

PREMIERSHIP side Reading have signed central defender Alan Bennett from Cork City in a deal that could be worth up to *300,000 to the Leeside club. Bennett joins former Cork players Kevin Doyle and Shane Long at the English club . . .

NEW Derry City boss Pat Fenlon has signed defender Dave Rogers from his old club Shelbourne and handed trials to former Manchester United trainee Kyle Moran, goalkeeper Ryan Harrison and striker Karl Bermingham . . .

PAT Scully has signed a new three-year contract to remain in charge at Shamrock Rovers and has signed Bohemians pair Barry Ferguson and Stephen O’Brien and Limerick duo Tommy Barrett and Robbie Kelleher . . .

GOALKEEPER Graham Stack has extended his loan spell with Leeds United until the end of the season, while Marcos Painter wants to make his loan move to Swansea from Birmingham permanent . . .

TOTTENHAM trainee Cian Hughton, son of former Irish international Chris, has been included in the Ireland under-18 squad for the friendly against Holland at Richmond Park on Wednesday, February 7 . . .

PORTSMOUTH former Irish ‘keeper Dean Kiely is in talks over a move to West Brom . . .

ATHLONE Town have signed winger Colm Heffernan from Limerick.