Paul Green savours first Irish start

For most footballers scoring their first goal at international level is a moment they will never forget, but not so for the Republic of Ireland's Paul Green, writes RTÉ's Glenn Mason.

The midfielder started his first game in a green jersey in the comfortable 3-0 win over Algeria at the RDS last night and a fine individual performance included the opening goal.

Green bravely dived to head in Liam Lawrence's free-kick after half an hour, but took a knock in the process and has little memory of the incident.

He said: 'I didn't really know too much about it to be honest. I saw the ball coming across and went for a diving header. I didn't even know it had gone in until everybody starting jumping on me.

'I'd like to have a look at it again because I can't remember it all really. I just remember Robbie Keane and Liam Lawrence slapping me in the face and the rest of them jumping on me.

'I'd take a knock like that to score for my country any day. I don't think I was knocked out but it was just like a little split second. I didn't know where the ball had gone to be honest.'

The Derby County midfielder was a surprise call-up to the development squad, but took full advantage of the two weeks spent in Malahide and his neat and tidy style suits the system deployed by Giovanni Trapattoni.

Keith Andrews and Glenn Whelan may be the men in possession of the central midfield spots, but Green has put himself in contention for a regular place in the squad when the European Championship qualification campaign kicks off in September.

There will be more competition from the likes of Darron Gibson and David Meyler and Green admitted he would have settled for the experience gained in the training camp.

He said: 'I never thought I'd get this far to be honest. I was just happy to be in the training camp and getting a taste of international football.

'To get my first cap the other night and 25 minutes and then play the full 90 tonight is a fantastic achievement for me. I'm so proud.

'I must have done something right in the training camp to get this far.

'It's easy enough what [Trapattoni] tells me to do. He says keep it simple, hold your shape and that is all he wants you to do. For set pieces, I got into the box and that's how I got my goal.'

Trapattoni praised Green and fellow new boy Greg Cunningham after the game and when asked what the manager said to him after the game, Green said: 'Just, Bravo!'

If Green keeps up this level of performance next, it won't be the last time he hears that word from Trapattoni.