Former Republic of Ireland football Kevin Kilbane has spoke about Ryan Manning’s recent call-up to the Ireland team, as the Queens Park Rangers man is set to earn his first senior cap for Mick McCarthy’s Ireland.
Since Mark Warburton’s arrival at QPR in the summer, the club have enjoyed an unprecedentedly strong start to the Championship season.
His side missed the chance to go 2nd after a loss to their West London rivals Brentford on Monday night, and find themselves 8th in the table - one point off Bristol City in 6th.
The club’s had several star performers so far, and one of those is Ryan Manning.
A central midfielder by trade, Warburton’s decision to deploy him as a left-wing back has proved a masterstroke, and now the 23-year-old is on the verge of making his debut for his national side.
Having featured for Ireland at both under-19 and under-21 level, Manning has been named in Mick McCarthy’s 39-man provisional squad for the games against New Zealand and Denmark next month.
Speaking about Manning’s call-up was former Ireland football, Kevin Kilbane, who featured over 100 times for the boys in green:
“It's a great story," said Kevin. "I actually spoke to him prior to going over to QPR. He was going over with a lot of optimism and he just never got a game.
"It looked like he'd be out the door at QPR. But then all of a sudden, Ian Holloway comes in... and he started to have a bit of success.
"Then after Holloway had left, he seemed to have a bit of time in and out of the side. He went on loan to Rotherham and it looked like he'd be out the door again.
"And now all of a sudden, Mark Warburton's comes in and he fancies him. He's playing him in that left-back position. I've seen him play in the Under-21's in a No 10 position. He's played in a wider position as well but he's more often than not been an attacking player. A creative player."
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The verdict
Manning has established himself and one of the Championship’s most creative talents in his new position this season, and a call-up to his national side was inevitable at some point this season.
He’s been named as a defender in McCarthy’s squad, so expect to see him in that left-wing back position if he’s given his first cap for Ireland.