SÉAMUS COLEMAN has given John O’Shea a fresh endorsement to be appointed as Ireland boss on a permanent basis.
And the captain insisted he has nothing to gain from touting his former teammate given his career is in its twilight.
Coleman succeeded O’Shea as the country’s skipper when the Waterford man was no longer guaranteed his place in the side.
Six years after winning his last cap against the USA, the ex-Manchester United star is again in interim charge after also stepping into the breach for two games in March.
And, ahead of tomorrow night’s game against Hungary at the Aviva Stadium, the Everton stalwart has given O’Shea his backing to get the job on a full-time basis.
Coleman said: “I know he’s sitting beside me here but his preparation has been unbelievable.
“Not just the gaffer but Paddy McCarthy, Glenn Whelan, René Gilmartin and all the staff have been very good and it’s been exciting, refreshing.
“And as the manager touched on, we weren’t far away from winning those games but that’s what it’s about, that’s what we’re working towards and then everyone has really enjoyed that.
“I have nothing to gain from saying that. I am 35. My time is coming short. I am speaking honestly. The manager has been brilliant and it has been really refreshing.”
After the withdrawal of Andrew Omobamidele through injury, joining Gavin Bazunu, Nathan Collins, Evan Ferguson and Chiedozie Ogebene on the sidelines, O’Shea has formally added Bosun Lawal to his panel for Tuesday’s game.
Lawal, 21, has had an impressive season on loan to Fleetwood Town from Celtic and had been training with the squad anyway. He will link up with the Under-21 squad after the Dublin friendly for their matches, rather than travel to Aveiro where O’Shea’s side will face Portugal next Tuesday.
O’Shea said: “Unfortunately, we lost Andrew, he got a little nick on his hamstring, so that was unfortunate.
“He has had a decent enough season with Nottingham Forest and established himself for a good bit and then was out of the team a little bit towards the end of the season, but he was one we were potentially looking to get some game time into over the next two games.
“But because of Bosun being involved in training with us, he’ll come into the matchday squad. He had done very well at training, he’s settled in well.”