Mick McCarthy this afternoon revealed that he will give Niall Quinn the chance to set a new Irish international goal-scoring record by picking the veteran striker to start for Ireland against Cyprus this Saturday.
Quinn has hit twenty goals in 85 appearances for his country, the same as former international Frank Stapleton. The Dubliner has admitted he would love to claim the record for himself and this Saturday would be the perfect time for him to do it since it is also his 35th birthday.
"I hope he does break the record," said McCarthy ,"but I’m not bothered if it’s his birthday, Christmas day or New Year's day, I just hope it’s the winner."
Quinn’s selection is the only element of the first 11 that McCarthy has made known though he did say it would be "very unlikely" that he starts with a 'keeper other than Shay Given. He will name the full team this Friday afternoon.