McGeady's got some grand ambitions

EURO 2012 PLAY-OFFS:HAVING ENDEARED himself to Spartak Moscow fans everywhere and proved he can make an impact in the farthest reaches of European football, Aiden McGeady has now set himself the target of becoming Ireland's "greatest" player.

Perhaps his sentiments were slightly embellished by translation but the former Celtic winger believes he can become the nation’s go-to man in the coming years.

When speaking to Spartak fans in an online chat, the 25-year-old, who has been capped 44 times for Ireland to date, said most would acknowledge captain Robbie Keane as Ireland’s “best”, but insisted he is capable of making the step up.

“Who is the best player of Ireland? Many people would name Robbie Keane,” he told fans, before adding: “Am I ready to become the greatest? Yes, but give me a couple of years.”

McGeady has been one of Ireland’s most impressive performers in Euro 2012 qualification thus far, having improved immeasurably on his work-rate and the defensive side of his game.

He also chipped in with two goals – his only strikes at international level – against Macedonia and Andorra, and featured more than any other player in the squad, having played 855 minutes out of a possible 900.

With the captain nearly six years his senior, McGeady is likely to have plenty of time to improve on his own legacy, but he will have some job surpassing Keane’s 51 goals at this stage.

Keane (31) looks likely to get his chance to add to that tally in the first leg of the Euro 2012 play-offs against Estonia on November 11th, after helping LA Galaxy advance to Major League Soccer’s semi-finals by playing 89 minutes against New York Red Bulls on Thursday night.

The Tallaght man missed Ireland’s final Group B game against Armenia last month after sustaining an injury in the win over Andorra four days previously. He looked lively against New York, however, and was denied by the post in the first half.

Galaxy won the game 2-1 on the night for a 3-1 aggregate win that booked them a Western Conference final meeting with Real Salt Lake on Sunday.

Barring another injury, Keane will join up with Giovanni Trapattoni’s squad early next week to prepare for the trip to Tallinn and the return leg at the Aviva Stadium on the 15th.

Reading defender Alex Pearce will be watching the outcome of the duel with interest after firmly declaring his desire to represent Ireland in the future.

The 22-year-old has been an ever-present for his club this season, marking himself out as one of the Championship’s top performers in his position.

He is also believed to have caught the eye of Trapattoni, who was in attendance at Selhurst Park when Reading earned a 0-0 draw against Crystal Palace last month.

Pearce, who has represented Scotland at under-21, says it would be a “privilege” to get a call-up.

“I heard Trapattoni was at the Crystal Palace game and it is flattering to hear he may have been watching me,” said Pearce. “I was obviously pleased I had a good performance and we kept a clean sheet.

“If I got a call-up for the Republic of Ireland it would be a privilege.

“I actually played for Republic of Ireland under-14s in a tournament and then I played one game for Scotland’s under-21s, but then it fizzled out.

“I am eligible for Ireland through my grandmother and if I had the choice I would play for the Republic of Ireland.

“I would love to play for the Republic of Ireland and it would be a dream come true for me and my family to play for them.”

Newcastle striker Leon Best is “over the moon and absolutely delighted” with his belated call-up to Trapattoni’s squad.

The striker, who has seven caps but has not featured in the current campaign, was a late addition for the play-offs on Thursday after it emerged Shane Long’s injury is more than likely to rule him out.

“It has been a long time coming and I’ve been waiting patiently. The gaffer (Newcastle manager Alan Pardew) has helped me, and playing in a winning team cannot have done me any harm either. Trapattoni came to watch me at Wolves and must have been happy with what he saw.

“I’ve been working hard this season and am really pleased to be called up.”