DERRY’S Shane Duffy could get a chance to stake a claim for a place in the Republic of Ireland’s Euro 2016 squad against Switzerland.
The Blackburn Rovers defender - whose only previous cap came in a 2014 friendly against Costa Rica - is likely to start Friday night’s friendly at the Aviva Stadium and manager Martin O’Neill says the door to France remains open to the former Northern Ireland youth international and the likes of Brentford midfielder Alan Judge, who may also feature.
O’Neill will use the game against the Swiss and the friendly against Slovakia next Tuesday to run the rule over his fringe players. There will be a start in one of the games for Newcastle goalkeeper Rob Elliot, but skipper Robbie Keane and Cardiff midfielder Anthony Pilkington will miss out on Friday with minor injuries.
O’Neill admits it will take something special for a player to force their way into the squad like James McClean did four years ago, but has reminded his hopefuls that the 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign is just around the corner.
“The players who are coming in late here have a bit to do, I must admit, at this stage to go and cement something,” he said.
“Everything would probably have to go pretty well for them, individually. But it’s not impossible and it’s happened before and that’s why I’d like to open the door for them, to feel as if they have got a chance. And for instance, one or two of them - let’s say they didn’t make it - they know they are right maybe for the World Cup campaign coming up almost immediately.”
O’Neill has challenged his Republic side to follow in Leicester City’s footsteps by springing a surprise at Euro 2016. During his time as manager, O’Neill took Leicester into the Premier League and guided the Foxes to League Cup triumphs in 1997 and 2000. But the club could surpass all that this season - they are closing in on a remarkable Barclays Premier League title and lead the table by five points with just seven games remaining.
“Leicester are the standard-bearers there for the smaller side,” said O’Neill.
“I just think they have given people hope now that you can compete and not only compete, actually be successful.”
But he stopped short of predicting that one of the smaller nations could be crowned Euro 2016 champions this summer: “If Leicester go on and win the league, does that mean that a smaller nation goes on and takes the European Championship? I’m not terribly sure about that,” he said.
The Republic are in a very tough group with Sweden, Italy and Belgium and, while qualification to the knockout stage will prove difficult, O’Neill has no qualms about assuming the role of underdog, particularly after the 1-0 win over world champions Germany on the road to France.
“After Germany, the players feel as if they are capable of dealing with that,” he said.
“Do you want to go in as underdogs? I think we will naturally anyway, but I don’t genuinely think it will bother us.”
Asked if he would be happy to see opposition teams underestimate his players, O’Neill replied: “Absolutely, absolutely.
“I don’t think they will. As Leicester are proving this year, you underestimate teams at your peril.”
