Morrison still smiling despite doubts

Ireland Squad Countdown to Wednesday: Clinton Morrison is watching rugby's European Cup final on a big screen in a bar in western Algarve. In front of him the man wearing the "Irish by Birth, Munster by the Grace of God" T-shirt is gripping his pint so tightly those around him are in danger of being showered with shards of glass, but as the game moves toward half-time, he loosens his grip as Munster tighten theirs.

In the back room Steve Staunton and Alan Lee are glued to the proceedings in Cardiff, later joined by Andy Reid, Gary Breen, Liam Lawrence, Steven Reid and a man who dabbled in rugby in his youth, Damien Duff.

The rest of the Ireland squad are elsewhere, playing golf, or just taking it easy after a lively two-hour training session that morning.

Morrison isn't quite absorbed in the early stages, opting instead to express concern about the damage being done to the Millennium Stadium pitch by 30 marauding rugby players just 24 hours ahead of the Premiership promotion play-off between Leeds and Watford. But his heart soon switches codes, temporarily at least. He's impressed, especially with "nine and 10" - Peter Stringer and Ronan O'Gara by name.

Did you ever play rugby yourself, Clinton?

"Yeah, I was a fly-half," he says, though the accompanying grin is telling. Not much rugby, after all, was played in Wandsworth in his youth.

Morrison's in good form. But that's as revelatory as declaring the sun shines in the Algarve. He has, though, plenty of reasons not to be in such high spirits, not least a knee injury that could rule him out of Wednesday's game and doubts about the future of Ian Dowie, his manager at Crystal Palace, after an apparent falling-out with chairman Simon Jordan.

And then there's the uncertainty about Morrison's own future at Palace.

"I have a meeting with the manager next week, so we'll see. Sheffield United wanted to sign me before I came to Palace and I have a connection with Reading with Steve Coppell, who managed me before at Palace.

"I have got admirers, but you have to wait to see what Palace will do and whether the other clubs will take the risk. I don't mind staying at Palace, but obviously I want to play in the Premiership."

His future's uncertain, then, but Morrison remains a picture of serenity. No change there, but he puts his added contentment down to Shay. His baby son, that is, not the Ireland goalkeeper.

"It's the best thing in the world," he says of fatherhood, "and it's a distraction from football - whenever you have a bad game you go home disappointed, but then you see little Shay and he cheers you up."

Why "Shay"?

"The missus liked the name. I knew I was going to get stick because of Shay Given, but when he was born I looked at him and said, 'Yeah, he looks like a Shay.' Will he be a goalkeeper? Na, he's got a good left foot so you never know, he might be another Damien Duff."

A father figure at home and, as it transpires, he's beginning to feel like a father figure in the Ireland squad. The presence of 16-year-old Terry Dixon is making even those in their early 20s feel old.

"I feel like a veteran now because there are so many kids here," he laughs, "but the mood in camp is good, there's a bubbly atmosphere."

Of the trip to Portugal he says, "It's a good idea. I'm really enjoying it and hopefully it will pay off. It's very enjoyable working with him (Staunton). You can see he has what it takes to be a manager. He helps you and encourages you when needed, he encourages you to express yourself, and he lets you get on with things at other times.

"I think it helps in that it wasn't that long ago he was a player himself. He knows what we're about, and that does make a difference."

For so long Morrison and Robbie Keane were largely unchallenged in the Irish striking department but the emergence of Stephen Elliott, who missed the trip to Portugal through injury, and Kevin Doyle has given Staunton more options. Does Morrison feel threatened?

"No way. I don't fear anyone," he says. "I have to play my own game and if I do then I am good enough to be in the team, but it's up to the manager who he picks. Naturally I'd prefer to play but if not, I won't complain.

"Kevin's emergence is good. He's done well for Reading and has provided competition for places, which is only good for Ireland. Over the years Ireland have not had a lot of good strikers so we all have to be on our toes now."

"But the majority of time I have played well for Ireland. I haven't let the team down. My first aim now is to qualify for a major championships and then get to 50 caps. I know I still have a lot to prove, but I have still to hit my peak years and hopefully the big years are ahead."

Highs and lows: Morrison's experienced them all, and the presence in the Irish squad of Jay Tabb is an added reminder to him of his journey in professional football.

Morrison was released by Spurs so he moved on to Palace. Tabb was released by Palace so he moved on to Brentford, but their time at Selhurst Park briefly overlapped. And, now, here they are on duty with the Republic of Ireland. Funny old game.

No regrets, though, about the sporting choice he made. Upon witnessing on the big screen yet another Paul O'Connell challenge of the "Thou shalt not pass" variety on a Biarritz man, Morrison is prompted to declare his relief that he opted for football of the "association" kind.

"I ain't gonna get broke for no one," he says.