Underage bosses set down markers

Under-21 friendly Scotland v Rep of Ireland, Kilmarnock, 8.0Live on TV: Sky Sports 1A handful of Ireland's brighter underage prospects will have the chance to play their way into the centre of a looming row between Don Givens and new under-20 manager Gerry Smith this evening when the Irish under-21s take on Scotland at Rugby Park in Kilmarnock.

Newcastle's Steve Brennan, Sean Thornton of Sunderland and Stockport striker Jonathan Daly are involved with Givens's panel for this evening's game, the team's final outing before the resumption of their European Championship qualifying campaign in Georgia and Albania.

All three, however, and Stephen Paisley of Manchester City, who was withdrawn from the squad for this evening's game by his club last week, are almost certain to feature in Smith's plans for next month's World Youth Cup in the United Arab Emirates and it may end up being senior team boss Brian Kerr who decides on which manager gets to use the players.

"It's not something that we've talked about yet," said Givens last night, "but as far as I'm concerned the higher up the players get to play then the better off they are likely to be from a development point of view."

Givens, who is clearly concerned by the situation, dismissed suggestions that being involved in a major international finals tournament might offer unique benefits to up and coming players.

"No, I wouldn't agree with that," he said.

"I think European Championship qualifying games offer just as much as matches at a tournament like that, the difference being that the lads are playing with other players who are a couple of years further on in their development and that is the most important factor as I would see it."

Of the three players involved, Brennan will make his debut at under-21 level this evening, starting at right back in a side which also includes another debutant, Gary Dempsey.

"Both of them have impressed me," said Givens.

The FAI, meanwhile, officially confirmed the appointment of Packie Bonner as the association's new technical director yesterday.

The former international, who will continue in the role of goalkeeping coach with the senior team, said he was delighted to be taking on the new role at a time when "there are a lot of fantastic things happening for football in Ireland".

Bonner will work with the 22 regional development officers already employed by the association and will oversee the implementation of the development plan which is at the heart of the organisation's strategy for the sport's future.

"The development of the game in Ireland over the next few years is everything to me right now," said Bonner yesterday, "it's what I go to sleep thinking about and it's the first thing on my mind when I wake up in the morning.

"The development plan is of huge importance but it's not something that I'm going to sort out by myself. The intention is to work closely with Brian, Noel, the RDOs and everyone else involved in the game.

"There's a huge amount going on right now and it's an exciting time to be handed a role like this."

IRELAND UNDER-21: Stack (Arsenal, on loan to Beveren); Brennan (Newcastle), Goodwin (Stockport County), Byrne (Scunthorpe), Tierney (Manchester United, on loan to Crewe); Butler (Sunderland), Dempsey (Dunfermline), Thompson (Nottingham Forest), Hoolahan (Shelbourne); Reid (Nottingham Forest), Barrett (Arsenal, on loan to Brighton).