Kilbane to get
100th cap tonight
14 Oct 2009
Kevin Kilbane the Hull full back has been one of the first names on
the team sheet for 10 years. The last competitive Irish fixture he
missed (through injury) was a 1-0 win over Macedonia in June 1999.
Tonight will be 58 not out.
Kilbane made his debut in a 4-2 lose away to Iceland. On that day he was
subbed at half time for Mark Kennedy. In those days he worked his magic down
the left flank.
Kevin's first goal was against Finland at home in a 3-0 win. Since then
he has scored 7 times for his country against Andorra home (3-1 win) and
away in 2001 (3-0 win), Scotland away in 2003 (2-0 win), Faroe Islands away
in 2005 (2-0 win), Czech Republic at home in 2006 (1-1 draw) and San Marino
away in a 2-1 win in 2007. We have not lost a game that Kevin has scored in,
lets hope to marks the occasion tonight with an early goal.
Trapattoni has lauded the men of the moment, admitting that he was unsure
if Kilbane would play any part in his regime after being soured by the
turbulent end to Staunton's tenure and the accompanying criticism.
"I appreciated the personality and the willingness to come back and get
on this adventure with me. It was important to start with a strong base.
"I know that the players were a little bit angry because they felt they
were being criticised a lot. It's normal, but I think in 20 years they will
understand that it's part of the job. I know this."
His current boss at Hull, Phil Brown, paid a warm tribute to Kilbane on
the eve of his personal milestone. The Tigers were forced to deploy Kilbane
as an emergency centre-half earlier this season, so Brown is aware of the
player's character in times of crisis.
"Kevin is a very down-to-earth, under-stated, gets-on-with-his-job type
of person," said Brown. "I dare say that if Kevin was a postman for his
trade he would do it exactly the same.
"That's the way he is as a person. He just gets on with it. When I did my
homework before 'Killer' came to Hull by speaking to managers that he played
for, like Peter Reid and David Moyes, they said he is brilliant to have in
the changing room and brilliant to have around the place.
"Whatever you say, he will not only carry out on the field but he will
voice his opinion in the changing room. That is not to say he agrees with
you all the time. We do have our disagreements, but he's a great kid to have
around."
The most loyal of servants deserves every plaudit which comes his way
this evening.