Stephen Gleeson is desperate to make up for lost time. 9-years on from his first cap the midfielder is back in the Republic of Ireland fold.
The Birmingham City player made his debut during Steve Staunton’s ill-fated reign. He was part of the squad that toured the USA in 2007.
He started in a game against Ecuador at the Giants Stadium that ended 1-1, he also lined up against Bolivia. That ended up being his second, and final cap for the Boys in Green, until now potentially.
Martin O’Neill ended the Dubliner’s long spell in the international wilderness after including him in the squad for the friendlies against Switzerland and Slovakia.
Gleeson admits that he was not ready for international football when he was first drafted into the squad.
“I don’t think I did my best out there. I was a bit overawed at 18 years of age, with all these names around me.”
“I’m coming back into the squad now and I’m more mature, I’m more confident in my own ability.”
He’s not a complete stranger to the squad. There’s one face in particular that is extremely familiar, his first cousin Glenn Whelan:
