Andy Reid gets chance to shine

Nov 10 2008 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal

ANDY Reid hopes his impressive performance against Portsmouth has ended a difficult time for him professionally after getting the silent treatment from Roy Keane.

The midfielder was making only his second Premier League start since August. He used his rare opportunity well, creating Djibril Cisse’s opener and putting in a man-of-the-match performance before being withdrawn 10 minutes from the end of the 2-1 defeat.

Reid’s international manager, Giovanni Trapattoni, said his absence from the Republic of Ireland team this season is a result of his diminutive frame but there has been no explanation from his club boss, nor does he expect one.

“I was delighted to play because it’s been a while,” Reid said. “It was nice to show people what I can do. If it’s not difficult for players when the team sheet goes up and their name’s not on it, then they shouldn’t really be professional footballers.

“It’s about dealing with it in the right way, keeping positive and believing your chance will come.

“The manager doesn’t have to explain himself to anybody. He makes the decisions and it’s up to him, like it or lump it. Rightly so, he’s the manager.”

Keane praised the amateur guitarist for his contribution to dressing room morale in the second half of last season, but Reid admits it has been more of an effort this term. “You go through tough times in football and over the last couple of months it’s been a tough time for me but I’m a strong enough person to deal with it and a good enough footballer,” he said.

“I just had to wait for my chance and I feel I’ve taken it. I feel I’ve contributed and done well.

“It is difficult to keep your morale up but that’s part of it. It’s not just a team game in terms of the 11 guys on the pitch. It’s a squad game. That’s how I’ve had to view it and deal with it.

“Everbody’s very disappointed with the result, especially after the performance in the first half which was very pleasing.

“But you’ve got to capitalise on it when you’re on top and we didn’t take it into the second half and ended up getting punished.”