ROBBIE Brady is looking forward to Saturday’s ‘massive’ European Championships 2016 qualifier against Scotland at the Aviva Stadium.
Brady is expected to start at left back again and is relishing the challenge. “It’s a different position than I’m used to playing at the club,” Brady admitted at a press briefing on Wednesday.
“With the left-wing-back role, you’ve got an extra man behind you. It is a learning curve, but with little tips here and there, I feel as if I’m getting more comfortable with the position every time I play.
“In the last couple of seasons I have found myself in a more defensive role and I’ve actually quite enjoyed it.
“Hopefully I can get it right and nail down a spot.”
Despite his new role Brady hopes that he can contribute to the Irish cause in an attacking capacity too.
“I love to get forward as much as I can. Some games don’t allow you do to that. Hopefully, this game is one where I’ll be able to get forward and add to the attacking play.
“It might be the way they set up, or how they’re playing, or who’s playing – there’s a few different things you have to think about. And there are times where you have to be more defensive rather than thinking about getting forward.
“But there will always be moments in every game where I get forward. Hopefully when I do, I’ll try and make something happen. It depends on moments in the game and what’s in front of you. If there is room I’ll run into it but you have to be careful as well.”
Brady linked up ‘well’ on the left flank with Aiden McGeady in Sunday’s friendly draw with England. “Aido (McGeady) gave me a dig out a couple of times and I thought it worked out well between us.
“Everyone is the same, everyone has their own jobs. If I’m needed to do a few set-pieces as well as defend, I’m happy to do it. I practice quite a bit and hopefully they come off at the weekend. Of course, you can practice all you like all week; the weekend is the most important.”
“Watching the likes of Ian Harte probably set me off wanting to take set-pieces. He was one of the best ever with his left foot.”
So how will Saturday’s match go? “I think they’ve a good set-up and have some good players, like ourselves. It’ll be a tight game, I’m sure, like most of the games in this group, but hopefully we can get our stuff right and just edge it.
“We knew this was the big one coming in. England was a good test for us at the weekend, but that’s behind us now and we’ve a massive game this weekend.
“I think everyone’s preparation has been great and it’s one of these games you have an eye on all year. It’s not just that it comes around and it’s time to play, you have an eye on this one all year. We’ll be pulling out all the stops and hopefully we can make it a good one and get the three points.”
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