A SLIGHTLY pensive Seamus Coleman was prepared for the inevitable question. Pursed lips and sitting to Martin O’Neill’s left at last night’s pre-match press conference in the Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna, Coleman refused to be drawn on the Everton versus Republic of Ireland row.
Both O’Neill and his assistant Roy Keane aimed broadsides at Everton boss Ronald Koeman after the Dutchman accused the Republic of Ireland management team of “overloading” his injury-plagued midfielder James McCarthy during last month’s 2018 World Cup qualifying double-header against Georgia and Moldova.
Keane ‘returned the serve’ to Koeman with gusto earlier this week, much to the amusement of press reporters.
The Cork man described Everton as soft and had an amusing take on the club’s players turning up for international duty “on crutches”. All the while, McCarthy and Coleman have remained tight-lipped.
As expected, McCarthy didn’t travel to Vienna for tonight’s World Cup qualifier against Austria due to a hamstring injury.
So last night was the first chance for Coleman to air his views on the verbal sparring sessions that have lit up several Ireland press conferences.
Did he feel the “row” had “overshadowed” the team’s preparations?
“No, not at all. I’m not interested in making headlines about that. My only concern is preparing for Austria,” he said.
Later, O’Neill joked that there was more chance of him calling America’s President-elect Donald Trump to congratulate him than picking up the phone to Koeman.
But the Republic manager insisted his captain didn’t feel caught in the middle of the stormy relations between his club and international managers.
“I don’t think Seamus is caught up in it at all,” said O’Neill.
“Seamus is here. He wants to play, but it’s over now as far as we’re concerned. Seriously, just let us move on.
“[But] Just to explain to you very briefly: I put James [McCarthy] into the provisional squad because he thought that he might get through. There was always the probability that he wouldn’t
make it and because of the hamstring you wouldn’t want to risk him.”
Koeman, though, was angered by McCarthy playing in both the Georgia and Moldova games despite not having featured for his club in the build-up to the international break.
O’Neill added: “[Before the Georgia and Moldova games] James had recovered from the injury and he was in Everton’s squad two days later, so it’s all over, end of story, and I’m hoping that James is available in March time and that he’ll be selected.
“I don’t think it would be right for players to be caught up in that either for club or country.”
Coleman was more talkative when asked about the challenges the Republic face tonight in Vienna and his potential duel with Austria’s in-form attacker Marko Arnautovic, who has been the hosts’ stand-out player in their three qualifiers to date.
The Stoke City man grabbed a double in their 2-2 draw with Wales last month, while David Alaba is arguably Austria’s only world-class performer.
“It’s obviously going to be a very tough game,” said Coleman.
“The players they have we’re aware of. I’ve played against [Marko] Arnautovic a few times in the past. He’s a strong player and they’ve obviously got David Alaba who is a world-class player. So they’ve got top players. It’s going to be a tough game for us but we’re looking forward to it.”
The Killybegs man has bitter memories of the last competitive dalliance Ireland had with Austria, during the last World Cup qualifying campaign.
Alaba grabbed a late equaliser in Dublin and the Bayern Munich player pounced to sink the Irish in Vienna to end the Republic’s World Cup aspirations and indeed Giovanni Trapattoni’s reign as manager.
“Those games against Austria were pivotal and it was tough to take at the time,” said Coleman.
“But I think we’ve moved on a lot since those games – qualifying for the Euros and playing in the Euros last summer has really brought the group together.
“Obviously, coming away from here with a point wouldn’t be a bad result but we truly believe we can beat teams.
“When you go out on the pitch with these lads it’s a privilege and you know you’re going to be in it to the very end.”
