Roy Keane believes that James McCarthy's second half performance in the 1-1 draw with Poland in March is proof that his best is yet to come in a green shirt – but has told critics to lay-off the 24 year old.
The Republic of Ireland went into the half-time interval of the Euro 2016 qualifier 1-0 down courtesy of a Slawomir Peszko goal having been unable to get to grips with a strong Polish side in the opening 45 minutes at the Aviva Stadium.
However, McCarthy and his Republic of Ireland teammates rallied to dominate the second half, eventually netting a deserved stoppage time equaliser when Shane Long converted Wes Hoolahan's knock-down from a Robbie Brady corner. While the result wasn't ideal overall, it was vital for the Boys in Green to at least take a point from the encounter as Group D shapes up to be one of the tightest groups in the whole of Euro 2016 qualifying.
With McCarthy in line to win his 27th cap against Scotland on Saturday, former Manchester United and Celtic midfielder Keane – who won 67 caps caps during his own international career – admitted that it took him up to 25 games before he felt truly comfortable within the Ireland set-up.
“The signs were good in the second half [against Poland], James had a big impact in the second half, but James is still finding his feet at international level,” Keane told media at Gannon Park last week ahead of Sunday's friendly clash with England.
“I've said it before, there's nothing wrong with that. I felt it took me 20-25 international games, really, to get a feel for the group, the players I was working with and I think James might be the same. Sometimes you can be a slow-burner, but, like all players young at international level, he's learning his trade.”
Continue reading Roy Keane's thoughts on James McCarthy on Extratime.ie.
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