Reid remains bullish over World Cup hopes
Republic of Ireland winger Steven Reid has revealed his sympathy for under-pressure manager Brian Kerr but insists the players need no extra motivation to qualify for the World Cup.
Speculation suggests Kerr will be out of a job if Ireland fail to clinch at least a play-off place come the end of their remaining two Group Four qualifying matches against Cyprus in Nicosia on Saturday, and against Switzerland at Lansdowne Road next Wednesday.
Nothing less than six points will do for Kerr, who has faced considerable criticism since a 1-0 defeat at home to France last month, leaving the Republic’s hopes of qualification – and his own position – on the line.
The names of possible successors are already being bandied about, leading to suggestions of a siege mentality being adopted by Kerr, who yesterday chose not to conduct a scheduled media briefing.
If the knives are out, the only way they will be sheathed again is if Ireland reach next summer’s finals in Germany, with the speculation hardly conducive to harmony when it is required most.
Yet Blackburn midfielder Steven Reid concedes Kerr’s future is not top of the players’ agenda, with the focus simply on winning the last two games with the players pulling in the right direction.
“Brian has done a great job, and you feel for him at times like these,” said Reid.
“Things have been written about the manager, but we don’t really read them. We know if we stick together then we will pull through and get the two results.
“The lads want to win through as much for themselves. We want another taste of a World Cup experience.
“We’re going into these games with great togetherness, and if we do pull together then there’s no doubt we will get the results we need.
“Every squad I’ve been in, the one thing we’ve been good at is sticking together and shutting out outside influences.
“We’ve faced unfair criticism in a couple of the games. To come off against France and seeing how well we played, it was disappointing not to win the game.
“We were really down after that match, but we know if we win these last two then we are in with a great shout, and the lads are really confident.
“If you look at the players we’ve got, without a shadow of a doubt these are two games we can win.”
Ireland, though, face Cyprus without Manchester United captain Roy Keane after he recently broke a bone in his left foot, while Crystal Palace striker Clinton Morrison and Tottenham winger Andy Reid are suspended.
But failure is not an option, especially when Reid insists the squad at Kerr’s disposal are reaching their peak and are ripe for another crack at playing in a World Cup finals.
“We will be devastated if we don’t get the results,” added Reid, who has a chance of making his first competitive appearance for two years.
“Players of the stature we have in this squad should be qualifying for the World Cup, with the ability and belief certainly there.
“We’ve players like Damien [Duff] playing for one of the best teams in Europe in Chelsea, while Robbie [Keane] is doing well when called on for Tottenham.
“There is a whole host of good players, with a lot of them reaching a peak next summer, so it would be good to be there to see how we compete.”
For a player who received a surprise, late call-up into the squad for the 2002 finals in Japan and South Korea, and who enjoyed two even more surprising substitute appearances in those finals, Reid is itching for a return.
“I’m hoping it was not a once-in-a-lifetime experience because to go there again and hopefully play a bigger part would be brilliant,” added Reid.
“The World Cup experience was unbelievable. Not only is it about winning matches, but you get a whole nation behind you.
“You carry the hopes of not only yourself and the team, but also the whole country, so the hunger is there within the players.
“You only have to look at Roy [Keane] coming back into the fold. He is desperate to play in the World Cup next summer.
“It’s the highlight of a player’s career. You can go on about club football all your life, but to play in the World Cup, there’s nothing better than that.
“Make no mistake, we’re going into both games desperate to win for both ourselves and the country.”
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