McShane Leads Ireland in Liege
Paul McShane has spoken of his pride at being named as Republic of Ireland captain for Tuesday night's friendly against Italy at the Stade Maurice Dufrasne in Liege, Belgium.
The defender's 24th senior cap will be all the more special for the Hull City man as it's the first time he'll lead his country's team out at senior international level.
Just over twelve months ago, McShane assumed the skipper's role for the training match against the Republic of Ireland Under-23s but this occasion is on a different plain.
The former St. Joseph's Boys graduate said: "I was captain all my schoolboy days, and I captained the Manchester United Youth Cup team and Manchester United reserves.
"In senior football, I haven't been captain that much, but I suppose being at a young age, there are not many captains at that age.
"I suppose it's something that's one of my aims in my career, to captain my country. Hopefully one day I will be a permanent captain. I'm very determined and I have got a lot of desire, which hopefully rubs off on people. Hopefully I lead by example against Italy."
McShane admits he'll be thinking of his late father, Sean, who died suddenly just over a year ago, when he fulfils the captain's duties.
He said: "My dad was a major influence in my life. Since I was very young, he would always come to every game and he was always there for me.
"Hopefully, he's there looking down on me tomorrow. I am sure he will be very proud also. It's an honour. I don't want to bore you with all the clichés, but my family will be very proud of me."
As two of those named are injury doubts, the team will not be finalised until the pre-match warm-up.
The team is: Forde (Millwall); McShane (Hull City) - capt, St Ledger (Preston NE), O'Dea (Celtic) or Kelly (Fulham), Ward (Wolves); Coleman (Everton), Andrews (Blackburn Rovers), Foley (Wolves), Hunt (Wolves) or Lawrence (Portsmouth); Keogh (Wolves), Long (Reading).
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