Though his international boss Martin O’Neill refused to be drawn on the speculation, Hull City’s Republic of Ireland midfielder David Meyler reckons that Roy Keane would be more than capable of managing any
revival at Manchester United.
Louis Van Gaal, in charge of the Netherlands, has emerged as favourite for the managerial vacancy at Old Trafford following David Moyes’s sacking. O’Neill’s assistant Keane was yesterday linked as a possible number two to the Dutchman.
O’Neill said he knew nothing about the story when in Dublin to open an all-weather pitch in Marlay Park.
Fellow Cork man Meyler, whom Keane signed when at Sunderland, was a little more forthcoming at the launch of the FAI summer soccer schools at Lansdowne Road.
“Do I think he’s good enough to do a job? Yes, of course,” said Meyler. “But that’s down to Roy. He’d sort out a lot of stuff there fairly lively! But that’s down to him. I don’t want to talk about it, I’ll leave it to him.
“You just never know in football these days. David Moyes signed a six-year contract, a couple of results didn’t go his way, it’s been tough for him.
“He had to follow the greatest manager probably of all time. It was always a hard job. I’ve got to focus on Hull City rather than the new manager at Manchester United.”
And there is much to focus on at the KC Stadium for the 24-year-old. Steve Bruce’s side look to secure their Premier League status before turning their attention to the FA Cup final against Arsenal.
“We’re not safe by any means,” said Meyler of four “massive” league games to come, starting with Fulham on Saturday, before thoughts can turn to the cup final. “It’s not just about staying up. We set targets to finish 11th, 12th, and that’s what we intend to do.”
FA cup hopes
"Fulham will be a tough game for us, but we beat them 6-0 previously
,” added the midfielder.
And giving those fans plenty more cheer while furthering his career is Meyler’s objective.
“[I want to] push right up the league, play in Europe with Hull,” he said. “We’ve got a great opportunity. We can win the FA Cup on May 17th. If Arsenal finish in the top four we’re guaranteed European football.
“Of course, why not,” he added on there being no limit to Hull’s ambitions. “The owners back the manager, he keeps pulling the pounds out in the transfer market and bringing in a familiar face in Shane Long and Nikica Jelavic and the two have been fantastic signings.”
Looking ahead to Wembley next month, Meyler, who scored in the semi-final win over Sheffield United, is content that Hull start as underdogs, a point emphasised by Arsenal’s 3-0 league win over them last weekend.
“It won’t make any difference . . . It’s a cup final, it’s a once-off. They might have big players, but Wembley is a different occasion . . . The pressure is on them for not winning a trophy for nine years.
“You think, ‘how can they deal with it?’ They might get a bit of cold feet . . . It’s a great opportunity for us and it could be a great day in the history of Hull City.”
Only then will Meyler turn his attention to trying to establish himself in the Ireland side during the end of season friendlies.
“It’s down to me. I’ve got to try and shift one of them so I can play,” said Meyler of those ahead of him for a central midfield berth.
“I’ve to give everything I can to get the opportunity to do that. It starts with my club form. I’ve to be playing well for my club. I [now] need to kick on in international football.”
International ambition
"I do have five caps, but I probably should have a lot more. I haven't started a competitive match
,” he added.
“Please God I’ll be in the squad. I need to kick on in these four games and put a marker down for the upcoming [qualifiers]. That’s what I intend to do.”
David Meyler and Republic of Ireland women’s international Stephanie Roche were in Dublin yesterday to promote the eFlow FAI Summer Soccer Schools.
