Hull City’s Paul McShane will captain a much-changed Republic of Ireland side for tomorrow night’s friendly international meeting with Italy in the Belgian city of Liege.
Millwall goalkeeper David Forde will start for the first time in an international, while Seán St Ledger will play alongside either Darren O’Dea or Stephen Kelly in the centre of defence.
O’Dea has had problems with an ankle injury but Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni will wait until closer to kick-off before making a decision, with Kelly set to switch from his right back slot against Macedonia to the centre of defence if the Ipswich Town player fails to make it.
Trapattoni will also wait to decide his midfield, where Liam Lawrence will come in on the left side if Stephen Hunt fails to shake off an Achilles problem.
Everton’s Seamus Coleman will start on the right, with Keith Andrews being joined in the middle by Wolves’ Kevin Foley.
There will be a new striker combination, with Reading’s Shane Long being joined by Wolves’ Andy Keogh.
Meanwhile, Trapattoni confirmed that Croatia will visit the Aviva Stadium on August 10th for a friendly international ahead of the resumption of Group B fixtures in September.
McShane is looking forward to leading the team out tomorrow in Liege as he returns to a leadership role he was well used to in his younger days.
The 25-year-old Hull City defender takes over from Robbie Keane for the game and although he will bring his own style to the role, he also admitted his admiration for the way Roy Keane led both Manchester United and Ireland.
McShane said: “I was captain all my schoolboy days, and I captained the Manchester United Youth Cup team and Manchester United reserves.
“In senior football, I haven’t been captain that much, but I suppose being at a young age, there are not many captains at that age.
“I suppose it’s something that’s one of my aims in my career, to captain my country. Hopefully one day I will be a permanent captain. I’m very determined and I have got a lot of desire, which hopefully rubs off on people. Hopefully I lead by example.
“Roy Keane was an amazing captain for Manchester United. Growing up in Manchester United’s youth team, he was such a presence around the place. As a captain, he was probably one of the best.”
It will be a proud moment for Wicklowman McShane, who yesterday took most of the squad to a charity golf day in memory of his father Seán, who died suddenly in March last year.
He said: “My dad was a major influence in my life. Since I was very young, he would always come to every game and he was always there for me.
“Hopefully, he’s there looking down on me tomorrow. I am sure he will be very proud also. It’s an honour. I don’t want to bore you with all the cliches, but my family will be very proud of me.
“I found out just a few hours ago, so I didn’t have time to ring anyone and tell them.
“I always love meeting up with the Irish team, and leading the team out tomorrow night is fantastic.”
Manager Giovanni Trapattoni handed McShane the armband with more inexperienced midfielder Glenn Whelan struggling with a knock, but partly because of his dependability.
The Italian said: “Paul is always ready. His character and his mentality and his attitude, he is somebody I can trust.”
Republic of Ireland (v Italy, Tuesday, Liege, 7.45pm):David Forde (Millwall); Paul McShane (Hull City, captain), Seán St Ledger (Preston NE), Darren O'Dea (Ipswich Town) or Stephen Kelly (Fulham), Stephen Ward (Wolves); Seamus Coleman (Everton), Keith Andrews (Blackburn), Kevin Foley (Wolves), Stephen Hunt (Wolves) or Liam Lawrence (Portsmouth); Shane Long (Reading), Andy Keogh (Wolves).
