babbelfootball.blogspot.com: 04/17/20

sexta-feira, 17 de abril de 2020

MLS USMNT vs. Exports USMNT: Which team would win? | Greg Seltzer

I've surely stepped in it this time. By accepting the mission of imagining who would win a game between US men's national team-eligible players with MLS day jobs and those who draw club paychecks from abroad, I'm poking at a real hornet's nest.

The debate has kicked off countless tense squabbles since Americans playing in Europe and Mexico became a hot topic in the early 2000s, from BigSoccer to Twitter to your current edition of MLSsoccer.com.

So here I am to piece together a starting XI for both imaginary teams and then figure out how a game between the two sides would unfold. I'm clearly opening myself to irked rants from all corners, regardless of what result I predict.

But first, let's introduce my chosen squads. We'll assume everyone is fit, but maybe those who've been out a while are a form question mark.

MLS

Goalkeeper: Brad Guzan (Atlanta United), Bill Hamid (D.C. United)
Defenders: Aaron Long (New York Red Bulls), Miles Robinson (Atlanta United), Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC), Reggie Cannon (FC Dallas), Ryan Hollingshead (FC Dallas), Aaron Herrera (Real Salt Lake)
Midfielders: Russell Canouse (D.C. United), Sebastian Lletget (LA Galaxy), Jackson Yueill (San Jose), Darlington Nagbe (Columbus), Paxton Pomykal (FC Dallas)
Forwards: Jozy Altidore (Toronto FC), Jordan Morris (Seattle), Paul Arriola (D.C. United), Jonathan Lewis (Colorado), Gyasi Zardes (Columbus)

The MLS boss would have one heck of a time deciding several close position battles, to put it mildly.

In goal, there are numerous suitable options, but I'd probably start Guzan for his high-level experience, solid all-around game and quality at facing spot-kicks. There weren't nearly as many plum left-back choices. I took Hollingshead over Chase Gasper and Daniel Lovitz in spite of the fact that he's the only one from that trio with no USMNT caps to his credit.

While manning the backline and attack stables were pretty straightforward, picking the midfield cogs was more difficult. A large amount of skillset redundancy is how experienced national teamers like Michael Bradley and Wil Trapp were left out. I simply tabbed Yueill as being on the best form trajectory. In a similar vein, Cristian Roldan – I actually penciled him in as the starter in Yueill's spot at one point during the roster build – was the last/toughest bench cut.

Seattle Sounders forward Jordan Morris slots into the MLS XI | USA Today Sports

Strengths

The MLS attacking line may not have a talent edge, but unlike the Exports, they're proven producers at the international level. The backline is aces at defending on the run and the midfield group is full of pluck, which they'll need to deal with Christian Pulisic & Co. The MLS team also has the bench advantage, especially when it comes to the midfield and attack.

Weaknesses

The elephant in the room is the midfield matchup. The MLS group is solid, but the trio they're up against is on another level. The uncapped duo of Canouse and Hollingshead may not actually be liabilities, but at this level they're at least big question marks. With the defensive midfield work of Canouse sorely needed, Nagbe drops to the bench. Because of this, the team is likely going to suffer a sizable possession deficit to the Exports, which only makes them more tactically predictable.

The Exports

Goalkeepers: Zack Steffen (Fortuna Dusseldorf), Ethan Horvath (Club Brugge)
Defenders: John Anthony Brooks (Wolfsburg), Matt Miazga (Reading), Sergino Dest (Ajax), Antonee Robinson (Wigan), Ventura Alvarado (Necaxa), Tim Ream (Fulham)
Defender/midfielder: Geoff Cameron (QPR)
Midfielders: Tyler Adams (RB Leipzig), Weston McKennie (Schalke), Christian Pulisic (Chelsea), Duane Holmes (Derby County)
Forwards: Josh Sargent (Werder Bremen), Giovanni Reyna (Borussia Dortmund), Timothy Weah (Lille), Ulysses Llanez (Wolfsburg), Emmanuel Sabbi (Hobro IK*)

*set to join Odense BK at season's end

Most of this team's lineup picks were no-brainers, but filling out the bench was a bit tricky.

Some may argue that DeAndre Yedlin deserves to be on the roster, perhaps even as a starter. However, his form has dropped and Dest's large edge going forward earns him the start. Cameron's ability to cover both the fullback positions and defensive midfield then nudged the Newcastle man right off the match squad.

Up the field, Julian Green narrowly missed out as both the midfield playmaker and wing backup, while Sabbi beat out a bit of competition to deputize the forward role.

Christian Pulisic gives the Exports XI a decisive boost | USA Today Sports

Strengths

The Exports' midfield advantage is sizable in this fantasy matchup. Adams, McKennie and Pulisic are each Champions League knockout-caliber performers for their respective roles. This squad also has a compatible center-back tandem, speed to burn out wide, loads of verve and a netminder capable of heroics.

Weaknesses

The biggest concern would be over how much cutting edge the front line could produce. Reyna, Sargent and Weah all bring loads of talent, but precious little experience. It's also worth fretting some over the defensive capabilities of Dest and Robinson, who will each be charged with corralling a strong MLS threat when they're not bombing forward.

How would the game go?

Though each side has their areas of superiority, there's not a ton separating the MLS and Exports teams. Adding the pride factor to our fictional showdown, one would expect a tight contest with momentum swings. You might also figure the Exports would hold a decent possession advantage, with the MLS crew looking to stay compact, absorb pressure and jump onto the counter attack. Even so, they can't just cede the midfield to their pricey opponents from overseas.

To have a chance, they'll need to disrupt McKennie's supply/distribution chain and prevent him from sending Pulisic and the other pacy Exports attackers off to the races. Can the MLS midfield do that for 90 minutes? That's unlikely, which is precisely why the Chelsea roadrunner opens the scoring late in the first half thanks to a give-and-go with Sargent.

Just when it looks as though the Exports might double their advantage, the MLS boys get loose on the break to tie the score on the edge of halftime. Yueill slips Morris behind on the left and his shot is parried by Steffen, but the rebound is easy enough pickings for Altidore.

MLS then carries much of the second-half play, but are left agonizing over several huge Steffen stops when McKennie bags an 85th-minute decider created by interplay between Pulisic, Dest and sub Llanez. When all is said and done, the Exports boutique midfield makes the difference in a 2-1 bout.

Diez delanteros que jugaron con la Selección Mexicana y probablemente no los recuerdas

Los aficionados de la Selección Mexicana han disfrutado de los goles de históricos delanteros como Javier Hernández, Jared Borgetti, Cuauhtémoc Blanco, Luis Hernández, Oribe Peralta, entre muchos otros, sin embargo, también han olvidado a atacantes que en algún momento vistieron la casaca verde.

ESPN Digital te presenta a delanteros del Tri que probablemente no recuerdas por su paso irregular en el combinado nacional:

Jesús Olalde

En 1999, Olalde recibió su primer llamado al Tri después de sus buenas actuaciones con Pumas (campeón de goleo) y en el 2000 tuvo la oportunidad de disputar duelos clasificatorios a la Copa del Mundo de Corea/Japón, sin embargo, no fue tomado en cuenta para la justa en territorio asiático. Olalde defendió en 17 ocasiones la camiseta azteca y registró tres anotaciones.

Emilio Mora

El surgido de las Fuerzas Básicas de Morelia disputó la Copa Oro de 1998 y 2000 con la Selección Mexicana, pero no logró consolidarse en el combinado azteca. En total, Mora, quien también militó en Chivas y Cruz Azul, jugó 12 partidos con la plantilla azteca y solo marcó un gol.

Manolo Martínez

El ex atacante del Rebaño Sagrado tuvo un paso fugaz en la Selección Mexicana y el único torneo internacional que disputó con el combinado fue la Copa América de 1995.

Horacio Sánchez

Horacio, sobrino de Hugo Sánchez, fue parte del 'Comando Puma' que representó a la Selección Mexicana en la Copa USA 2000. El ex atacante tuvo una buena actuación al anotar tres veces en el certamen, pero nunca más volvió a ser tomando en cuenta para el Tri. Sus goles no sirvieron de mucho, ya que México quedó en tercer lugar.

Alonso Sandoval

El exjugador de Chivas y América cautivó a los aficionados por su talento y rapidez, por lo que en 2005 recibió su primera oportunidad con el Tri. Un año después, Alonso volvió a ser tomando en cuenta en un duelo amistoso ante Ghana, aunque desafortunadamente ese sería su último encuentro con la selección.

Cristian Patiño

El ex elemento de las Águilas del América fue convocado por Ricardo Antonio La Volpe al combinado Tricolor en 2003. Patiño disputó 69 minutos repartidos en dos partidos y celebró un gol, pero no logró convencer al 'Bigotón', quien nunca más volvió a considerarlo.

Octavio Mora

El futbolista que brilló con Leones Negros y Cruz Azul debutó con la Selección en un duelo amistoso ante Brasil en 1992 y un año después fue convocado a la Copa Oro. En total, Mora disputó 13 compromisos y anotó siete goles. Nunca pudo llevar el nivel que mostró en La Máquina a seleccionado nacional.

Carlos Esquivel

El que fuera jugador de Toluca recibió su primer llamado en 2008, pero no fue hasta el 2015 cuando consiguió su mayor logro con la Selección Mexicana: coronarse campeón de la Copa Oro. Sin embargo, Esquivel no jugó más de 20 partidos en su carrera con el Tri.

Jesús Mendoza

El delantero saltó a la fama después de pasar de Chivas al América, donde tuvo sus mejores años como profesionasl. En la Selección Mexicana solo jugó 11 partidos y marcó un gol, asistió a la Copa Oro de EEUU en el 2000, pero no pudo consolidarse para obtener un lugar fijo.

Eduardo Herrera

Sus buenas actuaciones en Pumas le valieron para ser llamado en 2015, año en que anotó tres goles, dos ante Guatemala y otro ante Paraguay, en duelos amistosos. Fue convocado en total 9 veces, pero sus calidad nunca el alcanzó para pelear realmente por un puesto ofensivo.

DELANTEROS QUE SI RECUERDAS POR NO CUMPLIR CON LAS EXPECTATIVAS

A diferencia de los delanteros que pasaron por el Tri y que son poco recordados por los aficionados, la Selección tuvo a delanteros que ilusionaron a los hinchas por su calidad y que se hicieron inolvidables por brindar actuaciones decepcionantes.

En este rublo, destacan los nombres de Santiago Fernández y Luis Ángel Landín, quienes fueron parte de la selección que fracasó en el Preolímpico de la CONCACAF en 2008.

De igual manera, en esta lista debemos considerar a ex delanteros como Rafael Márquez Lugo, Juan Carlos Cacho, Enrique Esqueda y Aldo de Nigris. Todos ilusionaron al aficionado mexicano con sus grandes actuaciones en clubes, pero nunca alcanzaron ese nivel con la playera verde.

colombia-Jhonny Ramírez: el retiro como una opción para crecer

Después de 17 años de carrera, el volante paisa anunció que no seguirá jugando fútbol profesional. El estudio será ahora una de sus prioridades.

Jhonny Ramírez fue clave en el mediocampo de Millonarios, en 2012, cuando el club albiazul consiguió su estrella 14. / El Espectador

Correr detrás de una pelota, sacarse de encima a un rival, mandar un “caño” y sentir ese particular sonido del estadio cuando alguien es humillado dentro del campo de juego. Tirarse al piso y hacer esa barrida que salva un gol, agarrarla desde afuera del área y que el palo diga que todavía no, encontrarse un rebote a un metro del arquero y mandarla al fondo de la red casi que por accidente, lograr la hazaña impensada con un equipo chico o alcanzar la gloria con los grandes del fútbol local. La mayoría de estas cosas, por no decir todas, las consiguió Jhonny Ramírez en sus 17 años de carrera deportiva jugando para Envigado, Real Cartagena, Boyacá Chicó, Millonarios, Júnior, Cúcuta, Cortuluá y Leones.

Desde que llegó a Envigado, luego de hacer un excelente torneo en el Pony Fútbol de 1995, en el que fue goleador, empezó a mostrar un gran talento como volante creativo. Seis años después, Ramírez llegó al plantel profesional del club naranja en una posición nueva, ya que Jonathan Estrada ocupaba el puesto de mediocampista ofensivo y él tuvo que asumir un lugar unos metros más atrás y con mayor responsabilidad defensiva. Un día antes de su debut, llegó tarde a una práctica y su entrenador, Hugo Castaño, decidió castigarlo y hacerlo esperar un año más para el ansiado estreno en primera división.

No se pierda: El fútbol está quieto, pero la evaluación de jugadores no

Luego de cinco años con el cuadro antioqueño, Jhonny pasó al Real Cartagena en 2007. Para 2008 arribó a un club que cambió su carrera. Bajo las órdenes de Alberto Gamero, firmó con el Boyacá Chicó en el primer semestre de aquel año. “Cuando llegue, a Gamero no le gustaba mucho como jugaba y me sentó por varios partidos”, recuerda el antioqueño de 36 años.

En los cuatro años que compartió con Gamero, consiguió un lugar en el equipo y forjó una gran amistad con el samario. Algo que lo marcó del entrenador fue que después de un entrenamiento, en el que Jhonny se lesionó previo a un partido en Medellín, el técnico lo visitó en su casa y le preguntó si podía jugar: “le dije que estaba tironeado, que no podía caminar y mucho menos jugar”. Pero su entrenador lo necesitaba. “No, mi llave, nos vamos para Medellín y juegas”. Ramírez estuvo en el encuentro en la capital paisa y jugó medio tiempo caminando, pero ordenando a su equipo y cumpliéndole al profe.

Jhonny Ramírez pasa la cuarentena junto a su familia. / Instagram: jhonnyramirez30

Luego de pasar por Millonarios —conjunto en el que fue fundamental para conseguir la estrella 14, y Júnior de Barranquilla—, en los últimos tres años estuvo por tres clubes distintos: Cúcuta Deportivo, Cortuluá y Leones. Siempre lejos de su familia y teniendo que hacer un esfuerzo extra para verlos. Al finalizar cada compromiso, Ramírez viajaba hasta la capital antioqueña para ver a su hijo y a su esposa por unos días, antes de regresar a los entrenamientos. Para alguien de su edad las prioridades habían cambiado. Tantos viajes, entrenamientos, concentraciones y partidos no eran lo mismo, y empezó a sentir lo que fue perderse ocasiones especiales junto a sus seres queridos.

“Perderme Halloween con mi hijo, su cumpleaños, el de mi esposa y pasar el mío solo ya no era bueno para mí. Me empecé a agotar psicológicamente del fútbol”, asegura Ramírez. Además de su familia, el futuro de Jhonny estaba en juego. Se certificó como técnico en la Asociación de Técnicos del Fútbol Argentino (ATFA) y está terminando su carrera como profesional deportivo en el Politécnico Jaime Isaza Cadavid, en Medellín. Un niño que creció con la época dorada del fútbol colombiano de los años 90 conseguiría un título histórico con el Boyacá Chicó y otro con Millonarios. Desde el 8 de abril de 2020, Jhonny Ramírez es un mortal más que disfruta del fútbol desde afuera de las canchas, en las que supo sufrir, siempre entregado a no dejarse vencer.

Jhonny Ramírez pasa la cuarentena junto a su familia. / Instagram: jhonnyramirez30

portugal -SOARES PRIORITÁRIO PARA RENOVAR

Tiquinho Soares, 29 anos, tem contrato com o FC Porto até junho de 2021 e uma das prioridades da SAD portista é tentar a renovação de contrato com o avançado brasileiro, que em termos absolutos é o melhor marcador da equipa liderada por Sérgio Conceição, com 16 golos em 38 jogos.

O FC Porto, em tempos não muitos remotos, foi seduzido por uma proposta da China, com os pretendentes a estarem dispostos aos €20M pelo jogador, mas na altura Sérgio Conceição considerou-o imprescindível. A Roma também já foi noticiada como estando no encalço do brasileiro e, segundo A BOLA apurou, os russos do Zenit têm seguido com alguma atenção a evolução do avançado.

Tendo as contas as limitações impostas pela UEFA para o cumprimento dos critérios do fair play financeiro, é verdade que o FC Porto terá necessidade de trespassar os direitos económicos de alguns dos seus jogadores, mas na linha da frente para a venda estão nomes como os de Marega ou Zé Luís, isto tendo em conta atletas do setor atacante.

argentina-Los jugadores que terminan sus contratos en los equipos grandes

De los más de 200 futbolistas que finalizan su vínculo con sus clubes en junio, 27 son de Boca, Independiente, Racing, River y San Lorenzo, incluidos tres capitanes.

El 30 de junio es una fecha clave para el fútbol argentino y en general, ya que marca el fin de la temporada y, a su vez, el fin de muchos contratos. Con el parate por la pandemia del coronavirus, las negociaciones para definir las renovaciones o no de los vínculos se vieron obligadas a ser postergadas, y la fecha se acerca.

En Primera División, más de 200 futbolistas podrían dejar sus clubes, 27 de ellos de los equipos denominados grandes: Boca, Independiente, Racing, River y San Lorenzo. Aunque varios tengan acordada de palabra su continuidad, hasta que no haya firma oficial seguirá la incertidumbre. Lo llamativo, en tres de ellos aparecen los capitanes: Carlos Tevez en el Xeneize, Lisandro López en La Academia y Sebastián Torrico en el Ciclón.

Los nombres son:

Boca: Tevez, Marcos Díaz, Javier Bustillos, Junior Alonso, Franco Soldano y Nahuel Molina.

Independiente: Leandro Fernández, Andrés Roa, Franco Vélez, Francisco Delorenzi, Matías La Mastra, Diego Mercado, Emanuel Mercado, Mauricio del Castillo y Lucas Abadie.

Racing: Lisandro López, Iván Pillud, Darío Cvitanich y Javier García.

River: Ignacio Scocco, Germán Lux, Enrique Bologna y Kevin Sibille.

San Lorenzo: Torrico, Gonzalo Rodríguez, Gerónimo Poblete y Adam Bareiro

Flamengo busca empréstimo de R$ 40 mi para ganhar fôlego durante pandemia

Nem mesmo o Flamengo está livre dos problemas financeiros causados pelo novo coronavírus. Para se proteger, o rubro-negro recorreu a uma linha de crédito pré-aprovada para fazer um empréstimo bancário de R$ 40 milhões. A intenção é manter o fluxo de caixa e ganhar fôlego durante a pandemia.

A informação foi inicialmente divulgada pelo jornalista Gustavo Henrique e confirmada pelo EXTRA. Internamente, a avaliação é que o empréstimo dará tranquilidade para o Flamengo agir e calcular os impactos que a pandemia trará sobre as finanças dos clube. A manobra é considerada normal.

Até o momento, além da ausência de jogos que trouxe problemas para bilheteria e sócio-torcedor, o rubro-negro viu a Adidas, fornecedora de material esportivo do clube, não depositar uma das parcelas semestrais que deve pagar ao Flamengo por contrato. O valor gira em torno de torno de R$ 8,8 milhões.

O Azeite Royal, empresa que tinha patrocínio no calção do uniforme rubro-negro, pediu a rescisão unilateral do contrato.

Anteriormente, o blog Dinheiro FC, do GLOBO, revelou que o Flamengo publicou em seu balanço financeiro de 2019 uma projeção a respeito das finanças do clube diante da pandemia do novo coronavírus. Na visão da diretoria rubro-negra, os impactos são "absorvíveis".

"Em relação à pandemia do COVID 19 que se alastrou pelo mundo e começou a impactar a região em meados de março, a Administração do CRF fez um teste de stress usando as informações disponíveis e projetando um cenário de interrupção de jogos por até 3 meses. A conclusão é de que os impactos financeiros são absorvíveis e não representam risco de continuidade nas operações.

Acredita-se que a situação é transitória e que as receitas do clube, com exceção de bilheteria não sofrerão alterações significativas neste período, podendo ser compensados ainda ao longo do ano", diz a publicação.

Em 2019, o Flamengo atingiu R$ 950 milhões de receita bruta. O número final é maior do que o estimado pelo clube no relatório de gestão, documento publicado antes da auditoria.

Derry City legend Gary Beckett on the frontline praises NHS workers amid coronavirus crisis

When you think of key workers during the coronavirus pandemic, you automatically think of doctors, nurses and other first responders but spare a thought for ex-Derry City striker Gary Beckett as the Enniskillen native continues to work on the frontline as a postman.

While his job doesn’t pose the same risks as those brave NHS staff but Beckett admits he has had some sleepless nights and has warned the public to listen to the government guidelines during the COVID-19 health crisis.

The 46-year-old, who has been a postman for 19 years, insists he takes all the necessary precautions when he sets off to work for the postal service.

“I’m just out delivering some mail and people are talking about us being key workers,” said Beckett. “But, no, there’s only one set of key workers and that’s the nurses, doctors and people like that, they are the only key workers I see,” he insisted.

“I want to be like everybody else, I want to congratulate the frontline workers like the nurses, doctors and other people in that line of work. We should all be very proud of what they are doing and hopefully they too get through this as safely as they can.

“At the start it was okay and then you start hearing about young people now getting the virus and then it started to get really serious, everything at the start was the virus was only really serious for older people, so from my point of view my father (Terry) is down in the south, so that was never going to be a problem and I’m just hoping he stays safe, but my wife’s mother (Chubby) and father (Damian) are both 70 and have underlying conditions, so we had to think about them.

“Because of my job I was a threat to them, so I have stayed completely away from them and that’s all I can do.

“Look, as I said we have found out that this coronavirus doesn’t care who you are, or what you are or where you are from or what age you are and if it gets the chance to jump on you it will and that’s scary.”

The former Coleraine, Finn Harps, Omagh Town and Dungannon Swifts front man still worries going home to his wife Leanne and children Nathan, Adam, Lara and Alex and so he has taken measures to be extra careful during his delivery round.

“I have to be nervous and I think you’re a fool if you aren’t,” he explained.

“It’s a wee bit eerie working. Yes there’s always those wee sleepless nights, in terms of ‘what if this happens, or what if that happens’. So whenever this is over I really just want to be able to talk with my family about ‘do you remember that bloody disease, that time when we were all in the house for weeks’.

“I do everything I’m supposed to do, in terms of staying two metres away from the customers. I drop the parcels at the door. I wash my hands after every parcel drop off.

Gary Beckett admits he can't wait to get back to the Brandywell. Copyright: jpimedia

“At the end of the day if this coronavirus thing comes, I won’t be turning around saying I could have done this or I could have done that, to prevent it, because I have done everything that I have been asked to do in terms of the Government guidelines.

“Look you just don’t want the coronavirus in your house or with your family or friends, that’s first and foremost.

“Yes as I said it’s a wee bit eerie, but thankfully I’m off now for a week, although some of the jobs my wife has given me around the house means I’m not really off. Jokes aside, I have a family of six in my house, myself, the wife and four kids, but at the minute everyone is fine.

“If people think they are immune to the coronavirus and you can rip your shirt off and you have a Superman t-shirt underneath, then believe me you are a fool.”

Gary Beckett admits he isn't shocked that his former boss Stephen Kenny has become the Ireland manager. Copyright: jpimedia

Beckett continues to play a bit with his hometown club Enniskillen Town Reserves and Derry City Legends.

In fact, only last season Beckett played his part in their Reihill Cup triumph alongside his son, Nathan. And he hopes that he can stay on to be able to play with both his sons and like everyone else can’t wait to get back to the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium in the not too distant future.

Having been to the Lone Moor Road venue already this season, Beckett hopes to get back sooner rather than later and feels that the squad Declan Devine, Paddy McCourt and Co have built, showed great spirit against Finn Harps when despite not playing well they managed to get a point thanks to Adam Liddle’s stoppage time equaliser, however it was their impressive victory over Keith Long’s Bohemians, which impressed Beckett.

He felt that evening Derry were getting back to their old selves and totally dominated the Dubliners at a packed Brandywell.

“That was great and hopefully I will have the experience of playing in the same side as both my boys at some stage,” he confirmed.

“I have been to a few games but yeah like everyone I can’t wait to get back to the Brandywell to watch a bit of football, because then we’ll be back to a bit of normality. I think I have a 99 per cent record of going to games, I think they have lost just one game since I have been going to the Brandywell

“I really enjoyed the Bohs game, because I watched the Harps match on TV and to be honest I think they were very, very lucky that night, I think Decky, like most other teams don’t realise how good a side Harps have and Ollie (Horgan) and Higgsy’s (Paul Hegarty) team played well and probably should have won that night, but to Derry’s credit they never gave up and got a point in the last minute, that spirit and scoring late on is massive for any team, but the Bohs game was very encouraging.

“I thought they were excellent against Bohs, yes I know that was the weekend when Bohs played two games and Derry played one, but regardless of that I thought Derry were just too good for them that night and deserved the win.

“So yeah absolutely 100 per cent, as soon as the football is back I’ll be the first one in the door at the Brandywell and with a bit of luck the League of Ireland is the only sport on and that will help all the clubs, but yeah I’m looking forward to going back to the Brandywell, which to be honest I always do, but especially this next time, because of the way things are at the minute.”

Brandywell fans’ favourite Beckett admits he isn’t shocked that his old boss Stephen Kenny, has got the Ireland job.

Beckett, who played under the Dubliner for two years, always knew there was something special about him and that he was an ambitious guy.

The 46-year-old has also warned the current Ireland squad that they better respect their new gaffer and if they don’t then they’ll probably be sitting in the stand watching games.

“No I’m not surprised Stephen is the new Ireland manager,” he explained.

“You could see his ambition the minute he came into the Derry City job and when he went to Dunfermline, because he wasn’t settling for just that and I would say Dunfermline was just another stepping stone.

“For him to get this job, is probably fantastic for the League of Ireland, more than anything else and deservedly so. I’m hoping and praying that he does really, really well.

“I’m also hoping and praying that the professionals will respect him and I’ll tell you what they better respect him, because if they don’t, then they won’t be playing.

“I have seen players in our dressing room fall out with him and they have never played again. They said the wrong thing at the wrong time and they didn’t play another game for Derry City.

“When he spoke, you listened, because if you didn’t well you were possibly in trouble and thankfully I listened to him,” concluded the former striker.

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