Friendly
18.08.2004 at 19:30 - Lansdowne Road
Republic of Ireland boss Brian Kerr will risk incurring the wrath of Jose Mourinho by handing Damien Duff a starting place in tonight’s friendly against Bulgaria.The Chelsea winger sat out his club’s Premiership season opener against Manchester United on Sunday as he struggled to recover from a second shoulder dislocation.
Mourinho insisted afterwards he did not believe Duff was ready for his international call-up.
But Kerr says he has detected no problems with Duff’s fitness approaching the final friendly before next month’s opening World Cup qualifier against Cyprus.
Kerr said: “Damien has looked fine and he will start.
“It’s the last friendly and I want to be getting nearer to the team that’s going to play against Cyprus.
“We won’t abuse the fact that the clubs have been more than co-operative with us with regard to the release of players because I really respect that.
“As yet I haven’t had any calls from clubs and I’d like to think it’s because people say that we’ve been all right with them.”
Meanwhile, Manchester City striker Jonathan Macken will be handed his Ireland debut after finally being given clearance by FIFA.
“I’ve waited a long time for this and now I want to prove I deserve a place in the side. It’s a very special occasion for me and my family. My grandfather passed away during the summer and it is a shame he is not here to see it through,” he said.
“I know he would be very proud that I will going out there to represent Ireland.”
Alan Lee is the only late doubt for Kerr as he missed training yesterday with a cricked neck.
June’s friendly win in Holland has helped to maintain good spirits in the Irish camp approaching the crucial qualifying double-header against the Cypriots and previous nemesis Switzerland.
Meanwhile, captain Kenny Cunningham has insisted that the shock success of Greece at Euro 2004 ought to serve as inspiration that there be no limits to Irish ambitions coming in to the qualifiers.
Cunningham said: “Certainly the success of Greece has given the so-called smaller nations encouragement and hope.
“It just shows you that if you are organised as a team, totally committed and have a good spirit there is no limit to what you can achieve.”
Kerr added: “Bulgaria are a very good team - we noted their defensive deficiencies during Euro 2004 but they had conceded only four goals in qualifying before that.
“There is a bit of a contradiction there. I wouldn’t be surprised if they have a real go at us tomorrow. They will want to prove a point and get in shape for their own qualifying group.”
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