9 hours Ago By [email protected] (Michael Scully)
Richard Dunne says it's "almost cruel" to call Caoimhín Kelleher the best number two in the world - but is backing the Liverpool keeper to be in demand next summer. Kelleher, 27, will again be between the posts for Ireland against Finland at the Aviva Stadium tonight after playing a starring role in recent weeks for his club - most recently in keeping a clean sheet against Aston Villa in the Premier League last Saturday. Like last season, the Corkman has seized his chance in the absence of the Alisson Becker, who suffered a hamstring injury against Crystal Palace in early October.
READ MORE: What time and TV channel is Ireland v Finland on today in the Nations League? READ MORE: Heimir Hallgrímsson in 'there's always space for better players' warning to Ireland squad However the Brazilian stopper is due to return after this international break, when Kelleher will again be consigned to the bench - and, with Georgia's goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili moving to Anfield from Valencia next summer. "I think he's fantastic," said former Ireland star Dunne of Kelleher. "It's almost cruel to call him the best number two in the world - he's just a very good goalkeeper in his own right.
"He's unfortunate in the sense that he's up against Alisson, who's one of the best number ones in the world. It becomes hard, but I think Kelleher’s done himself huge favours this season and any time he’s come in for Liverpool or Ireland, he’s looked the part. "Liverpool have obviously signed a new keeper for next season.
If he (Kelleher) is not at Liverpool, I don't think he'd have a problem getting a club. He's impressed everybody with his performances, with how calm he is. He made two saves from corners at the weekend against Villa, which were fantastic.
"Every time he plays, his reputation enhances. I think he's If he does move on from Liverpool, and that would be his own choice, there'll be plenty of clubs who will be willing to take him." Dunne, who was talking to Gambling Zone, also believes that Evan Ferguson is showing signs that he is returning to his best - and will get there this season.
The former centre-half says that the striker will get opportunities to shine at Brighton if he remains patient after a tough time with injuries set him back. "For any team, if you have someone who can score goals and make such a difference to you, that’s absolutely huge," Dunne said. "He's obviously playing at a very good club in Brighton, and the competition for places is hard for him.
It’s probably a little bit of a disappointment the amount of games he's playing but he's still 20. He's still got a long-term plan to be a top, top footballer and I think Brighton believe in him, which is important. "There were signs in the last international window that he was looking sharper than he had done in previous ones.
I think the longer he stays fit, whether he's playing games, or just training or being in that environment of being on the pitch all the time, his sharpness will improve. "Over the course of the season, I do think we'll start to see the best of Evan Ferguson. He'll score goals.
I think he'll be an important player for Brighton, and we hope that he's going to be a huge player for Ireland. "He’s still coming back from that injury. I know it's been a few months now, but he's still not had that run of games that he needs.
Your recovery and your return to sharpness, to the top level, takes that little bit longer, because you're not getting those games. "I don't think there's any worries from Irish fans that It's not happening quickly enough, because it is a long-term thing with Evan. We know that he's got time to become the player that he wants to become.
I think over the course of the season, Brighton will use Evan enough that he will be happy with the amount of minutes that he's getting. Danny Welbeck is in fantastic form. "He's been brilliant at the start of the season.
But he's not a player who's always stayed fit. He's not a player who's always been on top form for a full season, which is a long, long time. There will be opportunities for Evan at some stage.
It is up to him to take those opportunities when they come around." Richard Dunne's interview can be read in full at https://www.gamblingzone.
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