Gibson is not fazed by his critics

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND v POLAND:AFTER THE nature of some of the criticism he received for his performance against Cyprus last month, with one pundit dismissing him as a "ninth-choice Manchester United midfielder" who wasn't even worthy of a place in the Irish squad, never mind the team, it's as well for Darron Gibson that he has a quiet self-belief about him.

Crucially, though, as he pointed out to his hometown newspaper the Derry Journal, when they told him of the comments at the time, "two experienced managers are happy with me, so that's good enough for me".

Indeed, both Alex Ferguson and Giovanni Trapattoni have given the 21-year-old cause for confidence, the Italian giving him his first start and third cap for Ireland against the Cypriots and Ferguson bringing him on in Saturday's 5-0 win over Stoke City for his Premier League debut.

Trapattoni, who was at the Stoke game, jokingly (we think) took some credit for Gibson's appearance at Old Trafford, revealing that he had spoken to Ferguson before the game and told him: "I am here to see my Irish players. And then Gibson came on," he laughed. "Maybe if I didn't speak to him then maybe no. Now some players, like Andy Keogh, say 'can you talk to my coach?'"

Had Trapattoni done him a favour? "I don't know to be honest! I'm just glad that I played," he said. "It was a nice game to come in to, we were playing good football and winning 3-0 when I came on, so that made it easier for me. I enjoyed it, I think I did well."

Having spent 2006-07 on loan at Royal Antwerp and most of the last campaign at Wolves, it was Gibson's third first-team run out for United of the season, after two League Cup appearances, enough progress, he feels, to give him hope of more involvement in the months ahead.

"I've been working hard in training and he (Ferguson) has been telling me to keep doing what I have been doing - and when the chance comes to grab it with both hands. Hopefully they keep coming. You are frustrated when you aren't playing but when you do it's alongside the best players in the world, so it's exciting. I'm going to stay as long as I can so I can get a proper chance, I have no plans to go anywhere else. I have this season and next season left on contract, so we'll see."

He admits to having been as surprised as most observers by his selection for the Cyprus game, although he had "an inkling at training", when the manager was working on "team shape", that he might be more involved than he had anticipated.

His observation that "Liam Brady seems to like me" confirms another admirer in the Irish set-up, with Brady yesterday keen to defend Gibson against criticism of what was a nervy display alongside Glenn Whelan.

"People were probably over-critical of him," he said. "There were certain things that Darron did in the game that were very, very good - and I fully expect him to be even better on Wednesday night. Given the amount of world class stars that United have I think it's a testament to the ability of the lad that he made his league debut on Saturday."

Gibson would appear to be assured of winning his fourth cap against Poland tomorrow, with the loss of Steven Reid and the exile, for now at least, of Andy Reid opening the way for the youngster.

"I think I did alright against Cyprus - I didn't play well, I didn't play badly, I was a bit nervous at the start, but as the game went on I got a bit more into it and more relaxed. But there is a massive opportunity for me now," he said, "there are places up for grabs.

"And my profile with Ireland has done me good at club level. Fergie watched bits of the Cyprus game on TV and he said I did well. If I can play at international level then it puts me in his mind, that I can do a job for him if I am needed." From 'ninth-choice' to first-choice, that's the goal.