By Paul Doyle
Ipswich captain Matt Holland claimed today that Mick McCarthy has already guaranteed him a place in the 23-man squad Ireland will take to this summer's World Cup. The squad won't be officially named until May.
The twenty-seven year old told his club's official website that "the manager told me the day before the game against Russia that my name was tattooed in his squad and he wanted to look at some of the other younger players. It was nice to hear that news and it gave me a big boost. To play in the World Cup finals would be amazing."
Holland played a key role in Ireland's qualifying campaign, scoring three goals and proving a solid partner to both Roy Keane and Mark Kinsella.
After the friendly win over Russia earlier this month, manager McCarthy told journalists he intends taking four central midfielders to Japan, and that his current preferences for those positions are Keane, Kinsella, Holland, and new Everton signing Lee Carsley.