Coleman ready to step in

10 October 2011 09:05

Seamus Coleman has told Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni he is ready to play anywhere as the Euro 2012 campaign draws to a close.

Ireland face Armenia in Dublin on Tuesday knowing a point will be enough for second place in Group B and a play-off berth. Coleman watched Friday night's 2-0 victory in Andorra from the stands after not making the 18, but with Stephen Ward suspended and Kevin Kilbane injured, Trapattoni finds himself short of full-backs for a crucial game.

The 22-year-old, who is currently playing as a winger for Everton, has also lined up at the back and while it seems that John O'Shea and Stephen Kelly are more likely to get the nod, he would be happy to return to that role if required. Coleman said: "Wherever he (Trapattoni) needs me, I would be more than happy to play."

Asked if he believes the Italian sees him as a midfielder rather than a defender, he said: "I would say he probably does.

"That's where I have been playing for Everton last season and at the start of this season, so I would imagine that's where he sees me.

"You have always got to have a bit of hope, but more than likely I would imagine it would be Stephen Kelly and John O'Shea.

"But I can't really complain there, there's a lot of Premier League experience there. But hopefully I will be involved in some way because it's such a massive game for everyone."

Armenia have proved something of a surprise package in the group and have dragged themselves back into contention with successive victories over Andorra, Slovakia and Macedonia, the reward for an 11-goal blast.

Ireland launched their campaign with a 1-0 win in Yerevan in September last year, and while that was regarded as a good result then, it is looking a better one all the time.

Coleman said: "It's definitely a very tricky tie. They have improved massively in the last couple of games. It's a lot of goals to be scoring and the lads will be well aware of that, and obviously we will be trying to get a couple of goals ourselves."

Source: PA