Golden pot
Man Utd cult hero to make managerial debut in big international clash as he hails ‘incredible honour’
The Man Utd icon could hand three players debuts against Belgium
JOHN O’SHEA is refusing to let his “incredible” ride with the Republic of Ireland cloud his judgement as caretaker boss.
O’Shea was a youth star for his country and won 118 senior caps before his last game in 2018.
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The ex-Manchester United defender, 42, has stepped up from his role as assistant to Stephen Kenny, who left in November after failing to qualify for Euro 2024.
O’Shea takes charge of today’s friendly with Belgium and Tuesday’s clash with Switzerland.
He said: “It’s an incredible honour to represent Ireland from Under-15s and captain your country.
"Now being manager is amazing and I’m really proud.
“When you get the players together to chat for the first time, it sets the tone and I’ve kept it very simple in terms of the staff that I brought in.
“I’ll look at those connections after, as well as at the learnings from the two games and how we progress.
“I just want to focus on the staff, myself and the players.”
O'Shea brought Southampton defender Ryan Manning into the his squad on Friday after recovering from injury.
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However, O'Shea is being forced to contest with withdrawals from Troy Parrott and Liam Scales.
Sammie Szmodics, the Championship's top goalscorer with 21 goals for Blackburn, is in line to make his Republic of Ireland debut.
FAI make gorgeous gesture to John O'Shea in honour of him being named interim Ireland manager
Lyon defender Jake O'Brien and Middlesbrough midfielder Finn Azaz could also be handed their international bows by O'Shea.
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