Aston Villa defender Ciaran Clark is determined to use tonight’s friendly with Uruguay as an opportunity to stake a claim for a permanent place in the Irish starting line-up.
The 21-year old is one of eight changes to the side that defeated Macedonia on Saturday and will earn his second cap at left back.
With Kevin Kilbane not getting any younger and having to drop down the divisions in search of regular football, many see Clark as his natural successor in the left-full back position, but with Richard Dunne suspended for the trip to Skopje in June, there may also be a vacancy at centre back, a position that Clark has impressed in at times for his club this season.
Prior to that game, Ireland face Uruguay this evening and have Carling Nations Cup clashes against Scotland and Northern Ireland in May and Clark wants to take every opportunity he can to prove himself worthy of a starting spot in the first team.
“I would like to put in a good performance and it is a good chance for me from now until the end of the season to show what I can do,” he said.
“There are a lot of good players in the squad and everyone will be fighting for places in the team because everyone wants to play.
“But we have got Tuesday night’s game to concentrate on, then there are the Nations Cup games which will give players a chance to impress.”
Despite a lack of options in the centre of defence, Giovanni Trapattoni has opted to use Clark at left back, revealing that Clark’s lack of experience was one of the main reasons for playing him at full back.
“Ciaran Clark is still quite young and at times, it is dangerous in that position,” said Trapattoni.
“He is young and young players are always anxious to get on the ball, and that’s the danger.
“If you make a mistake in the box, it’s a goal. With a mistake near the touchline, it’s possible to recover.”
Despite being without the likes of Luis Suarez this evening, Uruguay make for quite formidable opposition and Clark is looking forward to coming up against a side that made it to the semi-finals of the World Cup in South Africa last summer.
“They made the semi-finals of the World Cup, so it will be a good test for us,” added Clark.
“We will be looking to put in a great performance and hopefully come away with a win.
“Luis Suarez is not involved, but they have got some many good players – [Diego] Forlan will be there as well – so I am sure whoever they put out, it will be a tough test for everyone.”
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