As Ireland’s Euro 2012 qualifying campaign enters squeaky-bum time, JOE caught up with defender Sean St. Ledger for a chat about Ireland’s prospects.
With only four games left to play and three teams locked on 13 points, it is arse-clenchingly tight at the top of Group B and anyone’s guess as to which two will be sitting pretty at the top when it’s all said and done.
Fellow top dogs Slovakia and Russia await Ireland in what is an absolutely crucial double header over the next 11 days and in truth, Giovanni Trapattoni’s men will be looking for a four point return to boost their qualification prospects, particularly if they want to secure automatic qualification for the tournament in Poland and Ukraine.
That’s the view of Ireland defender Sean St. Ledger, who was in the Aviva Stadium earlier this week as an ambassador of Three Ireland to help with their ‘Go Green with pride’ campaign. Not long after a quick clean up after having his body painted in the Irish colours (see picture above), Sean sat down with JOE for a chat about the importance of the big games ahead.
“I think the first thing that’s important is that we want to try and get three points against Slovakia, obviously we’re playing at home, and then go from there,” he says.
“We’ll see what result Russia have had and then if we can get a point in Russia, we’d be going into the last couple of games and hopefully we’d be confident of getting first or second spot.”
I don’t think we can give him (Robbie Keane) stick because I don’t think LA is a bad place to live!
The opposition of course, will be no pushovers. First up at the Aviva next Friday, is Slovakia, against whom Sean netted his second international goal in the return fixture last October. Although Ireland could and probably should have won that game in Zilina, Slovakia, with a few key men back, will make for tricky opponents next weekend.
“I know they’re a very good side, they keep the ball very well, and they have good movement,” adds Sean.
“They had a couple of key players missing the last time, their striker (Robert Vittek) and (Martin) Skrtel, who are big players for them, but you know, they’re coming here and we’re very strong at home, so we’re confident.”
Sean wheels away in delight after opening the scoring against Slovakia last year
As for Russia, Ireland’s loss at the Aviva last October was probably one of the poorest performances of the Trapattoni era. Forget about the one-goal defeat, Ireland were battered and St. Ledger doesn’t try and hide it. This time around, he says, Ireland will be better prepared.
“With Russia I was probably surprised how good they were. They were very good, probably one of the best national teams I’ve played against,” Sean admits.
“They have some exciting players and they’re very organised, they knew how we were going to play. I’m sure when we go over there this time, we’ll be very organised. We didn’t play our best at home and we know we have to improve.”
Encouraging signs
Thankfully for Ireland, some of our biggest guns are firing on all cylinders at present. Shay Given is back between the sticks for Villa, Kevin Doyle is making waves with Wolves and Shane Long has taken to the Premier League like a duck to water. The impression he has made isn’t lost on his international teammate.
“He’s done very, very well, he picked two good teams to score against! He’s hitting the ground running, you have Robbie scoring on his debut for LA Galaxy, Shay Given’s back playing again, so things are great for those players and things are looking up.”
And what of Robbie’s move to Galaxy. Will it be a recipe for plenty of stick in the dressing room when he returns?
“I don’t think we can give him stick because I don’t think LA is a bad place to live!” laughs St. Ledger.
“I think it’s a great move. Obviously being at Tottenham, he didn’t play week in, week out and the kind of person he is, the passion and the drive he has, he’d want to play week in, week out and he’s doing that.
“I think the MLS is underrated as a league, I’ve played against a few American teams and they were very good, so yeah I think it’s a good move.”
St. Ledger has been on the move lately himself, to Leicester City, a move that was largely influenced by his international manager: “Sven rang Trapattoni up and asked him about me and I think he gave me a good recommendation, well he must have done!”
Regardless of his club commitments, St. Ledger has always willingly turned up for international duty, something which, unfortunately, cannot be said of some of his counterparts, who would seem to have paid the price for their absenteeism by being left out of the squad.
To be honest, he (McCarthy) hasn’t trained that much, he’s obviously pulled out of quite a few squads, so I can’t really give you an opinion on him because it wouldn’t be a fair one
Although he is visibly reluctant to talk about those missing in action, he maintains that it is a massive honour to represent his country, be it in a friendly or in a highly important competitive fixture.
“You know, I think it’s a major honour to represent your county at any point. Nearly every kid wants to be a professional footballer and I managed to do that,” he says.
“Whenever I get the opportunity to play, I love to take it. Everyone has different opinions, but you just have to get on with it. Like I said everyone is different and I can only speak for myself, but I want to try and play in every friendly.”
Although the likes of Ciaran Clark, Jonathan Walters and Marc Wilson were also left out of the squad to face Slovakia and Russia, the name of one missing face is on the lips of every Irish supporter – James McCarthy.
St. Ledger swiftly avoids adding his two cents to a debate that has divided Irish football supporters, but his sentiments suggest that he would like a little bit more commitment from the talented Wigan midfielder.
“To be honest, he (McCarthy) hasn’t trained that much, he’s obviously pulled out of quite a few squads, so I can’t really give you an opinion on him because it wouldn’t be a fair one.”
Ireland play Slovakia at the Aviva Stadium on Friday, 2 September and Russia in Moscow on Tuesday, 6 September.
Sean was speaking as an ambassador for Three to help launch the Three Trade-In scheme. Three is giving fans the chance to Go green with pride and trade-in their old Republic of Ireland football jerseys in any Champion Sports store nationwide and get €20 off the brand new Ireland home jersey.
The old jerseys will be collected and donated to Friends in Ireland, a charity that cares for orphans and vulnerable children affected by HIV/AIDS in South Africa which was founded by RTE’s Marian Finucane, with Sean St. Ledger as an ambassador.
The Three Trade-In scheme will run in Champion Sports stores nationwide until 30th September 2011.
For more information, visit the Three Football Facebook page.
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