Having waited six years after he was first called up to the senior squad before winning his first cap, much of that spell spent in the international wilderness, Stephen Quinn is not one to take his Ireland career for granted, but having featured in three of the four Euro 2016 qualifiers to date, the current Republic of Ireland manager has shown plenty of faith in the Dubliner.
The Hull City midfielder started in both the Georgia and Germany away games, before coming on as a substitute against Scotland last November, although he was unused in the one home fixture to date, against Gibraltar.
Whether or not he'll get the nod for Sunday's critical game against Poland, he has no idea, the return of James McCarthy and Glenn Whelan, who missed the game in Glasgow through injury, and the arrival on the scene of Bournemouth's Harry Arter, adding to Martin O'Neill's midfield options.
Throw in Quinn's Hull team-mate Robbie Brady too, back in contention for selection after a speedy recovery from a freak training-ground accident when he, bizarrely, fell down a hole.
Big bonus
Quinn shakes his head. “Our pitches were that bad over the winter we had to take a five day trip to Portugal, but we’ve since sorted them out, so hopefully that doesn’t happen to him again. He’s a big bonus to have, he played so well against the USA, he’s such a strong candidate too for the left back, left wing-back spot. I’ve watched him over the last three seasons at Hull and he’s just progressing all the way, he’s a top quality player.”
Quinn, meanwhile, is relishing his own involvement with the squad after that stuttering start to his career.
“When you’ve been left out for so long and you’ve been longing for it all these years and then you get in, you can’t take anything for granted. You know how much it means to you just to pull the jersey on – even to pull the training kit on. It’s such a good set of lads as well, there’s a good camaraderie, I think it will take us a long way in this group.”
“I’ve enjoyed my spells in the group games so far, whether I started or came on and made an impact, so hopefully if I can just keep working hard in training, get noticed and do a job if needed. But I don’t think you can ever feel established in the team, there are lads who are here a long time who don’t feel that way, you can never rest on your laurels.”
“So, you’ve just got to come back and show the manager that you’re willing and able and you’re still working hard for a place. And nobody is guaranteed that. The squad is probably stronger than ever, really, some great additions, so the manager will have some headaches. We’ve got some key players back who we missed in the Scotland game, so we’re looking strong and healthy now. Harry’s a good player, he’s had a great season at Bournemouth, so we’re all vying for places. The manager will pick his team based on how he wants to play the game, so we’ll wait to see what he decides.”
Part of the week has been spent analysing the opposition, but Quinn insists the focus hasn't been squarely on Poland captain and Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski, even if he is the most obvious threat.
“We’ve been working on all of them really, watching videos of them throughout the week, I don’t think the manager wants to leave any stone unturned. You can’t single one man out because they’re such a good team, they’re full of individuals who are playing all across Europe. To single out one man would be naive of us.”
Strong support
“But God yeah, Lewandowski is one of the top strikers in Europe, so we’ve obviously got to watch out for him – but we’ve got to concentrate on ourselves as well and how we can take the game to Poland, because we’re at home. Hopefully we can make that count and the fans will get behind us. I’m sure they’ll bring a strong support, there’s a big Polish community in Ireland, so I think the two sets of fans will be giving it their all. But if the Irish come in force, and they’re renowned all over the world for their support, I think it will be a massive help.”
He’s reluctant to describe it as a must-win game – “there’s still a long way to go after this” – but comes close enough: “It’s a massive game in the context of the group, there’s no point trying to beat about the bush. I think everyone is a little bit surprised to see them top of the group, but Germany have had a sluggish start, maybe a bit of a hangover from the summer. But with European football at the minute, any team can beat anyone, you’ve just got to be the best on the day. It’s the teams that limit their mistakes and capitalise on home games that will progress.”
