MARTIN O’NEILL feels that praising Robbie Brady has worked wonders for the Norwich City ace’s confidence – but can’t understand why he hasn’t been signed up by an English Premiership club after his excellent displays at Euro 2016.
Brady emerged as arguably Ireland’s best player at this summer’s finals, scoring the winning goal against Italy and finding the net against France.
Speaking after the Republic’s 4-0 friendly win over Oman ahead of Monday's opening 2018 World Cup qualifier against Serbia, O’Neill heaped praise on Brady.
With Stephen Ward likely to start in Belgrade at left back, Brady will almost certainly resume midfield duties where he played so well in France.
“I think there are two positions Robbie can play equally as well [left back or midfield] – I think he can see a lot of the play coming from the left back position. And I wouldn’t have a problem playing him there,” said O’Neill.
“Stephen [Ward] has been playing more at left back and has always done well for me and previous managers. But I wouldn’t have a problem playing Robbie in either position.”
The Kilrea man added: “Is there one position where he feels best in? Do you know what, I think it varies; it varies with confidence.
“I have been championing Robbie's cause now for the last couple of years. Does he play brilliantly for us, maybe better for us than at club level? I don’t know is the answer.
“He’s been exceptionally for us. We build him up. We keep telling him he’s great and he’s been fantastic. He does a couple of daft things in matches but overall he’s a really, really fine player.”
Jeff Hendrick got a last-minute move to Premiership club Burnley on Wednesday but there were no last-ditch calls from the elite clubs to sign his international team-mate.
“I’m surprised, I must admit, that he’s not playing in the Premier League on the strength of what he did at the Euros,” O’Neill said.
“And I actually think Jeff Hendrick transferred on the strength of what he did at the Euros, not necessarily what he did at Derby.
“But Robbie loves playing here. He enjoys it. He enjoys being praised as well too. Not praise for the sake of it, but because he’s earned it."
Meanwhile, James McCarthy will undergo a groin operation today and will miss Ireland’s opening World Cup Qualifier in Serbia on Monday night but O’Neill expects John O’Shea and Seamus Coleman - both of whom sat out Wednesday's friendly - to be passed fit.
“James is due an operation on his groin,” said the manager.
“He was feeling it a little bit so there was no point him hanging around, and there was obviously a bit of transfer talk about him, going on loan and those types of things.
“Everton really wanted him back, so we thought, if that’s the case and he’s going to get it cleared up, let’s get it done.”
McCarthy is expected to be back in action in under three weeks.
On O’Shea’s fitness race for Monday night’s tie in Belgrade, O’Neill said: “John is going to be okay. He did some work on Tuesday. He probably needs a bit of time. He’ll certainly do something on Friday, so he’s going to be okay. Seamus [Coleman] needs time too. At the moment he’s trained on his own, trained outside the group, and he’s improving all the time. It’ll be great if he’s available.”
