James McCarthy losing battle to face Scotland in crucial qualifier

Martin O'Neill is likely to make a call on James McCarthy's fitness this morning in Malahide with the Republic of Ireland strongly suggesting that the Everton midfielder must do something substantial in the squad's final training to indicate he is fit enough to face the country of his birth.

The game is likely to be an emotional one for the 24-year-old and a test of his mental strength should the home crowd decide to barrack him. O'Neill's one real concern, however, remains whether the player will recover sufficiently from the hamstring problem he picked up on Sunday to handle what is likely to be, as Stephen Ward put it, a "fast and frantic" affair.

“He’s improving each day,” said O’Neill.

McCarthy did nothing bar walk around the pitch with a member of the team’s medical staff during the open part of yesterday’s session and he was due to have another scan after lunch.

“It’s more to see whether it’s actually improved more than anything else,” said the manager. “He’s much better. If the game was in another week’s time, he wouldn’t have a problem. It’s early yet to make a decision. We’ve got tomorrow to think about it.”

Evidence in training

O’Neill said the player must provide evidence in training of his ability to get through the game. “I think he’d have to do a little bit of something because it’s a muscle injury – more than just a knock,” he said.

Whether or not the player manages to provide the required reassurance this morning, O’Neill may be happy enough to keep his counterpart guessing about his midfield line-up.

Surprisingly, the open part of the yesterday’s training included a game in which one of the sides looked to be a plausible starting XI.

Aside from the inclusion of Cyrus Christie at right back, the team in bibs very much had a 'probables' look about it, with Richard Keogh alongside John O'Shea in defence, and James McClean and Aiden McGeady in the wide positions.

Between those two were Jeff Hendrick, Darron Gibson and Stephen Quinn; something that might be taken as a very strong indication of the manager's intentions in the event of McCarthy and Glenn Whelan both failing to prove their fitness.

However, it must be remembered that O’Neill likes to play his cards close to his chest and that the 40 or so journalists looking on from the sidelines included quite a few Scots.

Keogh does seem to head up the queue to replace Marc Wilson in central defence after a strong a run of form recently with Championship leaders Derby County.

The 28-year-old was careful after training not to be seen to be counting his chickens.

“If I’m called upon, I’m ready. It’s going well at Derby, we’re ticking along nicely. On a personal level, I feel I’m hitting top form. I still feel there’s more to come from me,” he said.

Proudest moment

“When the manager made me captain for a friendly, it was the proudest moment of my career. It will probably never be beaten. I was thankful that he did that. He has shown faith in me and I’d like to think I have repaid that when I’ve played for my country.”

An even more certain starter is Ward, who has revived his career since being dropped by Giovanni Trapattoni and marginalised at Wolves.

Back in the Premier League with Burnley, he is in confident form and looking forward to the game. "I've been as a fan to watch Celtic in the Champions League. I used to travel up after training on a Tuesday. And I played one pre-season friendly there for Wolves. It felt like a league game with so many fans there. It's a special place. I think any Irish person would tell you they have an affinity to Celtic growing up so it's going to be a real special occasion"

The particular, almost peculiar, nature of it is highlighted by the number of connections between players from opposing sides. Almost half the Derby team could be involved and there are plenty of others who know each other well.

In Ward's case, there is a longstanding friendship with his former Wolves team-mate, Steven Fletcher.

The pair have spoken on the phone a few times in advance of the trip, but he admitted the calls might have to be put on hold as the game approaches.

“It could be more like an English league game than an international,” Ward said.

“I think nearly every player plays their game in England. It will be fast and frantic but we’ll need to have calm heads here.”

Against Germany late on their composure was remarkable and O'Neill said yesterday that the comeback there had provided the confidence required to go for the win tomorrow.

Irish people would see Celtic Park as rather more special if his players were to pull it off.