‘The boss is the boss’ insists John O’Shea as Ireland legend defends Heimir Hallgrimsson arrangement after England loss

JOHN O’SHEA has declared ‘I’m not the gaffer’ as he insisted there is no confusion over the Ireland coaching set-up. Observers have been surprised by Heimir Hallgrímsson not stamping his authority on the squad since taking over. He left squad selection to O’Shea – who had been in interim charge for four games – and admitted after the defeat to England he was still relying heavily on him and Paddy McCarthy as he looked to get up to speed.

The appearance of the former Ireland defender at the pre-match Press conference ahead of tomorrow’s clash with Greece this morning did little to quell discussion about O’Shea’s role. But he said: “It's very simple, this plan was in place beforehand and it's obviously to give the boss as much time in terms of preparation, with the quick turnaround in the game. “That was always the case so there is no change in anything.

” Asked if it risked causing confusion about who the real manager was, O’Shea’s answer conjured up memories of Steve Staunton’s famous line when he declared he was the gaffer when he was appointed as Ireland boss in 2006 with Bobby Robson as a mentor. The Waterford man said: “Totally no fear at all. The boss is the boss and there are clear lines on that.

“As I mentioned, this is the plan that was in place beforehand and we felt there was no reason to change it. “ It’s clear, I’m the assistant. I don’t know why there has to be this constant.

..the boss is the boss, it’s very simple.

The players know. “The meetings that were coming across, the plans in place. So I don’t know why you have to keep going on about that.

For me personally, it’s clear from the staff’s point of view and the players’ point of view. “ Imagine if I had gone to Iceland and took a job over there, you would lean on the support of the staff behind you. It’s very simple.

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