Lee Carsley looks to a long playing record with Irish

Oct 15 2007 by Ian Parkes, Liverpool Daily Post

LEE CARSLEY is ready to spearhead the Republic of Ireland midfield into the 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign.

It was after considerable debate Carsley finally returned to the international scene 12 months ago following a three-year absence.

The Everton midfielder retired from international football in 2003 as he chose to focus on his club and family at the time.

But despite the fact Ireland are virtually guaranteed to miss out on next summer’s Euro 2008 finals, the 33-year-old Carsley has no intention of hanging up his Republic boots again.

“I’m just taking it game by game to be honest, but I enjoyed last night,” said Carsley following a fine performance in the goalless qualifying draw with Germany at Dublin’s Croke Park.

“I’ve always said if I’m playing well at Everton, then I don’t see a reason why I can’t continue.

“My old club mate David Weir is still playing for Scotland, and he is 37.

“I’m not saying I’m going to carry on to that age, but I feel good, so I’m going to keep going.”

One of the reasons is Carsley can see the progress that has been made over the past year under manager Steve Staunton.

Although Staunton’s name was booed by a large number of supporters towards the end of the half-time interval as it was announced over the tannoy as the answer to a quiz question, Carsley believes the signs are encouraging for the next campaign.

“It was a great display against Germany, something we needed,” he added.

“We had a few chances, and I can’t remember Shay (Given) making any great saves, or them having any clear-cut chances.

“All in all we are happy with our work, and disappointed not to have won. But everyone wants to do well, especially for the manager, and Germany would have been a fantastic scalp.

“But like he (Staunton) says, we are building, and hopefully this is another positive step forward.

“Against a top-quality side, last night’s result gives us a lot to look forward to.”

Germany duly claimed their place at next summer’s Euro 2008 finals but for only the second time in nine Group D qualifying matches they dropped points, and on another night the scoreline.

The Republic now need to win their final two matches against Cyprus on Wednesday and then Wales next month, while hoping the Czech Republic lose all three of their remaining matches.

They had the best opportunity of the game, but captain Robbie Keane could not squeeze his shot home. Stephen Kelly and Charlton’s Andy Reid, fit after shaking off an ankle injury, combined to set up Keane.

But the Tottenham striker saw his shot from a tight angle blocked by Jens Lehmann, the goalkeeper out of favour at Arsenal but still first choice on the international front.

The best German chance prior to the interval arrived in the 37th minute, with Steve Finnan clearing off the line a near-post header from Christoph Metzelder.

Ireland should have taken the lead in the opening five minutes after the break.

Their initial opportunity was fortuitous as Carsley, booked in the first half and who will now miss the home game with Cyprus on Wednesday, hung up a cross to the far post from a short corner that had a back-tracking Lehmann scrambling to tip the ball over the bar.

Then Keane beat the offside trap, but with only Lehmann to beat, the Republic’s all-time 31-goal leading scorer fluffed his attempted chip from 12 yards into the welcoming arms of the keeper.