PRAGUE: Republic of Ireland defender Seamus Coleman said he is ready to lead his side in their World Cup playoff semi-final against the Czech Republic on Thursday despite limited club minutes this season.
The 37-year-old Everton player was initially left out of Ireland’s early qualifying squads due to a lack of game time but has since started the last four matches, having played only 12 minutes in the Premier League campaign.
“Everyone wants to be playing, that’s the way it works,” vice-captain Coleman told reporters.
“I didn’t have many minutes before the last games, but I train 100% every single day. Sometimes to my own detriment, maybe sometimes I go too hard and it’s cost me at times, but it’s the only way I know.
“When you put on the green shirt and when everything’s at stake, I’m feeling good and I’m ready for the game.”
Ireland recovered from a slow start to their qualifying campaign, taking one point from their first three matches before winning their final three games to reach the playoffs.
They are aiming to qualify for their first World Cup since 2002 and will face a Czech side in Prague, with the winners set to host either Denmark or North Macedonia in the final.
Forward Troy Parrott played a key role in Ireland’s turnaround, scoring all five goals in crucial wins over Portugal and Hungary, including a stoppage-time winner in Budapest to secure their playoff place.
“Obviously the nation was hurt massively,” Coleman said, referring to previous playoff failures.
“But in terms of the current group of players, they’re all so young, I don’t think they’re dwelling too much on that hurt.
“We’re just riding the wave of the confidence we’ve got as a group.”
Thousands of Irish fans have travelled to Prague, many without tickets, as Ireland look to take a step closer to ending a 24-year wait for a return to the World Cup finals.
