Givens: Flood is captain material
Republic of Ireland U21 boss Don Givens feels Willo Flood has the ideal character to be the team’s next captain.
Goalkeeper Wayne Henderson will lead out the side on his final appearance at U21 level tonight for the visit of Switzerland to Shelbourne’s Tolka Park.
The match represents the close of what has been a disappointing European Championship qualifying campaign for Givens’ side, who are without a win since an opening 3-0 victory over Cyprus 13 months ago.
Flood, whose career has been rejuvenated this season since joining Coca-Cola Championship side Coventry on loan from Manchester City, would appear to be the perfect candidate to lead the under-21s through the next qualification programme.
The 20-year-old winger is now one of the more experienced players at that level, with 12 caps to his name, while Givens sees him as an inspirational character, and potential leader.
That was evident in Friday’s 1-1 draw against Cyprus in Larnaca as Flood worked his socks off, and was rewarded with the equalising goal 14 minutes from time.
“The captaincy is something I have to look at, and Willo is one of those who will be under consideration because he is now very experienced at U21 level,” said Givens.
“He’s got that attitude about him. He just keeps going on in there and he provokes something.
"People react off him.
“Just by his endeavour, work and heart on the pitch, it lifts other people. If you see a little fellow like that running all over the place, getting stuck in and tackling, it has to lift you.
“On Friday, he was excellent again. I remember saying to the bench that if somebody was going to get us something then it was going to be Willo, and sure enough he did.”
Givens is without Luton defender Keith Keane who suffered a calf injury in Cyprus, while Liverpool midfielder Darren Potter is also sidelined through suspension.
Kevin Deery from Derry City and Fulham’s Michael Timlin have been called up as Ireland look to end what is now an eight-match winless run, leading Givens to understandably describe the campaign as “one of disappointment”.
He added: “We’ve not performed to the level we could have done. We’ve made crucial errors that have been very costly overall.
“A lot of levels need to be raised if we are to do well tonight because the Swiss are a strong side, and in the future.
“But I’m hoping we can at least balance things out after losing 4-2 away to them in this campaign, just as we did in the last one when we lost at home, but won away.”
