Speaking exclusively with BOYLE Sports , former Republic of Ireland hero John Aldridge has given his assessment of his countries World Cup playoffs chances and quotes legendary former manager Jack Charlton quote saying "you'll always have get a chance if you keep that clean sheet".
John has offered his insight into Ireland's "Golden Age" for upcoming coaches, shares his perspective on whether Heimir Hallgrimsson is under pressure but backs both Robbie Keane and Damien Duff to take Championship jobs in the future.
Elsewhere he's backed Kelleher for a sensational return to Liverpool and gives his perspective on any "Granny Rule" recruits for Ireland and laments what could have been with Harry Kane
World Cup Playoffs
Czechia vs Ireland
I think we've got to take our last performance, dissect it, and look at the way we played against Hungary. We need to take confidence from that, defend with all we have, and then see if Troy Parrott and the lads can score a goal or two. It's not beyond us. At this stage, nothing's going to be easy. They're at home, and the atmosphere will be fervent.
But I think we're on a par with them; they just have the home advantage. If we can get past them, people reckon it's going to be Denmark in the next round, which I think would be tougher, personally. But we just need to get there.
Just get to the final stages in the first place, no matter what happens. We need to make sure we get through and bring the euphoria back to the Aviva, because the support in the last couple of games there has been absolutely manic, fantastic, brilliant. I liken it to Liverpool in many cases, where the fans are all around. It was great to see the last performance there, and the performance from the fans, not just the team.
Ireland vs Denmark
We played Denmark not long ago, and we struggled a little bit. But they're a really good side, all teams are technically good now. We just have to show the Celtic spirit, obviously play well, and hopefully, the manager gets his tactics right.
Set pieces are big for us, corners, set plays. But first and foremost, keep a clean sheet for as long as you can. As Jack Charlton used to say to me, you'll always get a chance if you keep that clean sheet.
The Next Ireland Manager
Is Heimir Hallgrimsson Under Pressure?
We’ve got a little bit of momentum going, where we weren't sure to begin with. We’ve had a slight bit of luck, which all managers need. We do need a little bit of luck, and it's got us to this situation, which you've got to thank Hallgrimsson for. Well, with the help of Troy Parrott and the players.
It was a big decision to get him. We've got some decent ex-players, managers now in Keith Andrews at Brentford , Robbie Keane, Damien Duff and a couple of others. What if they want me? I'm always on hand to be helping them. Only kidding. Obviously, I'd like Hallgrimsson to stay there because it means we’ve done well. It's going to be a tricky one. Does he deserve another bash because he got into the playoffs? We’ll see.
Golden Age For Irish Managers
I think we've got something that we can build on a little bit now, but we need some growth. On the player front, we thought we had Declan Rice and obviously Jack Grealish going the other way, which would have given us a huge lift.
I just hope we can get a couple of young lads coming through in the Premier League all at once, like we did when Damien Duff and Robbie Keane , then you've got Nucleus. Then, all of a sudden, you've got like just two or three players that come through in the Premier League, and they make a big difference to the setup and the manager.
Keane Perfect For Spurs?
The only thing that's going against Robbie Keane for the Spurs job is his lack of experience, but in practise it wouldn't matter. I know Robbie fairly well. He loves Liverpool , and he loves Tottenham . And he's managed around. You look at Keith Andrews, if Keith can do it, then why can't Robbie ?
I know the size of the club is bigger with all due respect to Brentford , but look at some of the people that have got a job at Spurs, how did they find themselves in this situation? So Robbie at Spurs , why not?
Duff For Championship Roles?
Damien Duff in the Championship ? I hope so. Him alongside Keith Andrews and Robbie Keane, they're all good lads. You want them to get on in life and get what they want in management. If that’s what Damien would want, then absolutely. He could be a big success there.
Caoimhin
Caoimhin Kelleher
Caoimhin Kelleher is a great keeper. We loved him, the fans loved him, experienced players loved him. He never did anything wrong and was always immaculate. But he needed games, and Jurgen Klopp knew that. The club knew that it was unfair on him to get to the level he wants to get to; he needs to be playing. The one thing I was really shocked at was that he went for about £15 million.
I thought he was going to be a £40million player, but I'm hoping that Liverpool has a little bit of a clause in there, which is why they got him so cheap, because he could still be a future Liverpool goalkeeper, because that was so cheap to let him go. I'm just hoping there's something in there, so when Liverpool come knocking, we can get him back for £15million when he's had the experience.
Chelsea ? He can't go there. He's done his apprenticeship at Liverpool ; he's in an apprenticeship now with a team that's doing really well. Whatever happens, he could go to a big club down the road, absolutely. He's still relatively young in goalkeeper terms as well; let's not forget that.
The Granny Rule
Kiernan-Dewsbury Hall
Kiernan-Dewsbury Hall clearly doesn't feel Irish, so it's up to him. He’s been a really good player for Everton , and he could always have second thoughts. We lived off the granny rule. I knew my Irish heritage big time, as did all the other lads. I'm not English, I'm a Scouser anyway. So we all knew and respected that without our Irish heritage and background, we wouldn't be on this planet. My forefathers and ancestors were suppressed, and they had to move out of the country.
My name would be Sean , not John . So I got that. I got that, and it was the best thing I ever did, playing for the Republic for 10 years. That's all I would say on the matter. He'd be endeared; he would be loved. He's half Irish. But then people see it a different way. He might be fervent over the years watching England , and one day he might get a few caps. You've got to respect him for that.
Delap And Bellingham
Liam Delap and Jobe Bellingham for Ireland ? England have got an unbelievable squad now, and they'll never have a better chance, in my opinion, to do well in the World Cup . Just the climate may hamper them, but the depth of quality they've got is pretty frightening. For those players getting into the squad, if they do it at all, they won't be playing.
They won't be starting, they'll be on the bench, or just in the squad at this moment in time. That's not to say it won't happen for them in the future. You know, that's what they must be hoping for.
Ireland With Kane
Imagine if we'd have had Harry Kane , wow, that would have been special, what a player! He'd have been absolutely magnificent.
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