Liam Brady could find no fault in the Republic of Ireland squad selection to Euro 2016, believing manager Martin O’Neill got the key decisions right but bemoaning the lack of emerging stars over the course of the campaign.
RTÉ soccer analyst Brady said Harry Arter might have been included barring injury, but apart from that it was no surprise that O’Neill chose the players that got them to France.
"One thing we have to say is it’s a bit sad, really, that we haven’t seen anyone emerge in the last year that could push themselves into this squad"
The former Ireland, Arsenal and Juventus star said: “I think that Martin O’Neill has stuck to the people, to the players, that have got us there over the course of the last 18 months, and I think that’s a pretty normal decision.
“I don’t think that anyone’s appeared on the scene in the last six months to put himself into the squad, apart from Arter. I thought that some of his performances for Bournemouth were very good.
“I think he would’ve been a welcome addition, but Martin, as you said, didn’t want to take another player with an injury doubt. He has two already in McCarthy and Keane, and that’s what made him make the decision.
“I think the other decisions are predictable.
“On the goalkeeping front, I think Westwood is the form goalkeeper. Randolph hasn’t let us down when he’s played, and he’s taken share given for his experience.
“It’s unlucky on David Forde, but managers have to make these decisions.”
Brady admitted Westwood deserves to travel and could be regarded as Ireland number one.
“I think he’s the goalkeeper most in form and arguably he’s our first pick," added Brady.
“Darren Randolph doesn’t play at all much for West Ham, but he hasn’t let us down when he’s played. He’s played very well, so I can understand the way Martin’s going with the goalkeepers.
“It’s hard for David because he’s done well, but that’s the situation. One thing we have to say is it’s a bit sad, really, that we haven’t seen anyone emerge in the last year that could push themselves into this squad.
“You know, you’ve seen Marcus Rashford do it for England over the last six months.
“Dele Alli started at Spurs this season. Nobody knew too much about him, and now those two boys are going with the England squad to the Euros.
“We don’t have that problem, and it’s a sad indictment of the standard of play that we have at the moment.”
Brady also backed O’Neill’s decision to bring an injured Robbie Keane, adding: “At some stage, you’re probably going to need a goal late on in the game, and Robbie would be the man to turn to.
“We really are bereft of strikers, aren’t we? It’s a really sad situation that Robbie is the age he is, and he’s going in the squad, and Daryl Murphy has played 20 games for Ireland as a striker and he hasn’t scored, but that’s what we’ve got.
“That’s what we’ve got to get on with, and when Martin gets the first eleven out on the field, I think they can do well.”
