Soccer:Everton full-back Seamus Coleman will not allow himself to be carried away by talk of his elevation to the senior Republic of Ireland squad. The 21-year-old from Killbegs is in line to win his 10th cap at Under-21 level in tomorrow night's European Championship qualifier against Armenia at Tallaght Stadium.
However, he has been tipped to make the transition into Giovanni Trapattoni’s plans at full international level before very long, although Coleman will simply allow the future to take care of itself.
He said: “I heard my name mentioned in relation to the senior squad, but I wasn’t thinking about it. I knew myself that I would be with the Under-21s for another while yet as I have only played a handful of games for Everton.
“Even to get mentioned was a compliment, to know that [assistant manager] Marco Tardelli was aware of me and speaking about me was a great boost.
“But I won’t get carried away, I know my career will start to dip if I let this little bit of success go to my head, so I am happy to be with the Under-21s here.”
Coleman was handed his senior debut for Everton in the 5-0 Europa League defeat by Benfica on October 22nd and has made a further six appearances since as a regular member of David Moyes’ matchday 18.
He lost his place on the bench for Sunday’s 2-1 Premier League defeat at Tottenham, but with Phil Jagielka now back in business and Joseph Yobo also among the substitutes, he had few complaints.
Coleman will hope to erase his disappointment by helping the Under-21s to a first qualifier victory of the campaign tomorrow night. Ireland head into the game sitting at the foot of Group Two despite having lost only two of their six fixtures to date.
A weakened team was soundly beaten in Armenia in November as the hosts that day recorded their own first success of the qualifying competition with a 4-1 win.
Coleman and Ipswich midfielder Owen Garvan both missed that game, which came three days after a 1-1 draw in Georgia, but are expected to return.
The full-back said: “I missed the Armenia game last year. I played in the first game, but got injured, so I wasn’t there for the 4-1. We have had a mixed run with the Under-21 team, so we are keen to get a win here against Armenia and move up the table.”