FORMER REPUBLIC OF IRELAND manager Brian Kerr says that Martin O’Neill has picked the best possible squad for Euro 2016 and has backed the Boys in Green to get out of their group.
Ireland kick off their Euro 2016 campaign on Monday evening when they take on Sweden before they also meet Belgium and France.
The selection of Keiren Westwood ahead of David Forde has been the biggest source of debate, but Kerr says that O’Neill hs made the right calls.
“I don’t think anyone has been left behind that people could make a massive case for. He is going with the best squad he thinks is available,” the Dubliner told Donegal Sport Hub.
“I think the team won’t be too far away from the team that played against Bosnia. There was only one change over those two games: Stephen Ward played in the first leg and Jonathan Walters played the second leg.”
Kerr managed Ireland from 2003 to 2005, overseeing two qualifying campaigns.
It was he who nurtured the talents of the likes of Damien Duff and Robbie Keane during his time as manager of Ireland Under-16 and Under-18 teams.
“We have to be realistic with the pool of talent we are working with,” Kerr said.
“We aren’t Brazil, we don’t have the quality of Argentina and we don’t have the depth of players of Belgium, Spain, Germany, France or Italy, countries with big populations.
“We have, now and again, a few genuises, who emerge from the underage football but most of the time we’re scrapping with players who are workmanlike, honest and who give their best.”
Kerr was in Letterkenny on Sunday evening when he presented the prizes at Letterkenny Rovers FC’s underage awards function.
Listen to the full interview below …
https://soundcloud.com/donegalsporthub-club-notes/brian-kerr-ahead-of-euro-2016
Tags: