McShane a cut or two above the others

Soccer Euro 2008 Qualifying Campaign Mary Hannigantalks to a defender who doesn't mind taking the scars if it means being called the new Kevin Moran

Paul McShane (right) jumps with Kamil Contofalsky during the Euro 2008 qualifier between the Republic of Ireland and Slovakia at Croke Park last March. "I love defending," says the Wicklowman now playing for Sunderland. - (Photograph: Getty Images)

"How's the shoulder?" he's asked.

"It's falling off," he says, before the grin suggests Paul McShane's update on the injury he picked up 12 days ago, in Sunderland's Premier League game against Liverpool, might be a touch imprecise.

"No, it's all right. It's grand," he says. "I fell on it against Liverpool, went up for a header and I came down on it quite hard. Since then it's been giving me a bit of gyp, but I'm sure it'll be okay."

And how's the head wound?

That's grand too, he tells us, his fringe concealing the aftermath of the gash that needed 10 stitches after a clash of heads in the game against Wigan.

A theme is developing here. McShane is asked if he's ever met Kevin Moran, another Irish defender of the fearless variety who gave little or no thought to preserving his good looks when there was a ball to be won, especially in the air.

Moran, incidentally, made his Republic of Ireland debut six years before the 21-year-old from Wicklow was born.

McShane grins again. Yes, he's heard the comparison before.

"Mick Brown, the chief scout at Sunderland, was at Man United when I was younger. He pulled me aside when I was 17 and said, 'You're going to be like Kevin Moran because of the way you go into challenges, the way you put your whole body into them.'

"I didn't really think of it until he said to me the other day, 'Do you remember me saying you'd be like Kevin Moran?' - because I got the head injury and stuff. But yeah, I've met Kevin. He's a great man and he was a great defender. It's an honour really to be compared with him."

Being "the new Kevin Moran" didn't prove enough to convince Alex Ferguson McShane had a future at the club, which he joined in 2002, turning down Leeds, whose youth set-up had impressed him, after being persuaded by the then United captain, Roy Keane.

Five years later Keane had less persuading to do when he asked McShane to join Sunderland from West Bromwich Albion, where he made enough of an impression in one season to earn a senior Ireland debut and, ultimately, a move to a Premier League club.

"I've definitely learnt more since leaving United. I'm really glad I left at the time because it wasn't working out. If I was still there I don't think I would be the same player; I wouldn't have played as many games . . . and by playing games you pick up stuff.

"Roy was a player I really respected at United; he was inspirational. I trained with him sometimes. I had a lot of contact with him, but I wasn't his best pal. I wasn't going to the pictures with him or anything; it was just on a professional basis.

"I thought I could learn a lot of stuff from him, his whole character, the way he approaches things. I don't want to talk about him too much because he's the gaffer now. I don't want to brownnose," he laughs, "but he was my inspiration really."

It has, he admits, been a dizzying year. He can barely believe it's 11 months since he made his debut against the Czech Republic, his stirring performance - notably his marking of the towering Jan Koller ("Maybe he'll be out to get me this time") - winning him the man-of-the-match award and lifting some of the gloom from that 5-2 mauling in Cyprus.

"It was the changing point in my career. There have been ups and downs but it's been a very good 11 months for me. I just remember when Stan first told me I was playing I was trying not to think about it - if I did think about it I'd do something else, just to knock it out of my head. You can overthink, really. I just like to get on with it.

"But I'd like to think I have improved over the 11 months. I've played in some great games, some really important ones, and with that experience you get a bit wiser, you get a bit cuter. I sound like a 30-year-old here, but you do," he laughs.

"But still, I try not to think about things too much. I just go out and play. I've got goals in my career. I just want to keep improving, keep taking the next step. Just try and be the best I can possibly be. That's important for a footballer: just keep improving every day. All the build-up stuff - I don't take any interest in it. I don't read the papers - no offence or anything," he laughs.

How did you hear Sunderland were interested in you? "I think it was through the papers."

McShane leads the laughter; the defender caught out of position. "No," he insists, "it was the family. I think my dad rang me up, told me they were interested.

"But, yeah, it's been a great move for me. It's been exciting playing against world-class players every week. You've got to be on your toes every minute. Your concentration has to be spot on. So it's been brilliant. I'm really enjoying it; it's a great challenge.

"Roy just says to me, 'You're a defender so defend,' and that's what I enjoy. I love defending."