Mini-me! Everton star McCarthy fits Keane's bill to step into former star's Ireland boots
He has been on the Ireland beat for two full days and Roy Keane has proved he recognises a player when he sees one.
And in James McCarthy, the new Republic of Ireland assistant manager has clearly seen a talent who is the present, and very much future of the team he and Martin O'Neill would like to build.
In fact, and say this quietly because Keane does not want anyone to get carried away with this particular assessment, the former Ireland captain, and midfield leader, can see many similarities between himself and the £15million Everton star, who was one of the few plus-points of the miserable 2014 World Cup campaign.
All smiles: James McCarthy is set to be a crucial part of Martin O'Neill and Roy Keane's Ireland revolution
Wry smile: New assistant manager Roy Keane sees aspects of his own play in McCarthy's attributes
Keane was asked if he had seen similarities on the training ground, and in the games he has watched at Wigan and Everton. He gave this particular answer a great deal of thought.
Keane said: 'He probably plays a little like me, maybe not as aggressive and is possibly looking to mature in terms of his personality on the teams over the next few years but that will all come.
'That comes with maturity and when you get games under your belt. But from the way he trained today, and the game we had, he was getting in very good attacking positions and making very good forwards runs which I think is always something I did when I was a young player, particularly at Forest.
'But I don't want that to be twisted round that I am comparing him to me, far from it.
Peas in a pod: But Keane (left, in 2002) admits McCarthy is less aggressive in his playing style than he was
'He is certainly, in terms of getting forward and hopefully over the next few years getting a few more goals to his game, he is going to be a top midfielder. I do think you need to have a few goals in your locker unless you are that real sitting midfielder.
'He is a very good player. Clearly he is a good player or Roberto Martinez would not have taken him to Everton, if he didn't think so.
'I have looked at him over the last few years because Wigan is only down the road from where I live so I have been to see them a few times. He is certainly progressing very very well and certainly when he steps up a level, I have seen him against the very good teams and he has stepped up, which is a very very good sign. My first impression over the last two days is that the boy has a chance of being a top player.'
Impose himself on his team, and impose himself in his interviews.
When the comparison was put to McCarthy earlier in the day in the dressing room at Malahide FC, the response was characteristically downbeat and more considered. 'I'm not sure to be honest,' he said.
In training: Keane (right) is settling into his role as Martin O'Neill's assistant as Ireland boss
Dynamic duo: The new management team, with Keane (right), look on as their troops train on Wednesday
Keane will demand more personality from the Scots-born midfielder with the tricolour on his bright green boots. And McCarthy knows his development can only be enhanced with the influence of the man who has effectively replaced Marco Tardelli in the Irish camp.
McCarthy said: 'The standard's been really good and obviously Roy's been putting sessions out as well which has been good, and it's always encouraging to see such a footballing hero like Roy, especially a midfielder, working and giving you tips.
'It's brilliant. He's a massive influence. It's only two days in but he's given us tips here and there and it's always good when someone who's such a great footballing hero, gives you tips. It's a massive bonus.
'I want to get on the ball and I want to pass the ball and make tackles here and there. But it's a long way from comparing myself to Roy Keane to be honest. Obviously I want get on the ball and pass the ball.
Silver lining: McCarthy was one of the few bright spots in a bleak qualifying campaign for Ireland
'He said things in the game today. We had a 11 v 11 game and he was talking to me, run here, get on the ball, just that type of stuff. Every little helps.
'You remember his passing, everything. He was just an all-round midfielder. I'll pick up as many things as I can from him. He was a massive player and anything I can learn from him, I'll be delighted to take it on board.
'He is not intimidating. I think he's right down to the earth. He's spoken to each and every one of us. And it's good to have him on board.
'Obviously you want to get as many caps as you can and play as good as you can and each and every game. Obviously I'm learning. It was my birthday on Tuesday so I'm getting a bit old, I'm getting on. As I say, if I can picking things up from the boss, Martin, and Roy, hopefully I can do well.
Strike it: McCarthy signed for Everton in the summer for £15million from Wigan Athletic
'I want to get better in each and every game, I want to improve and add goals to my game as well. You take it game by game and each game you want to get better and better.'
Of course Keane is not the only new face in the managerial tracksuit.
There is the small matter of Martin O'Neill taking his place in the dug-out at the Aviva Stadium and for Trapattoni regulars like McCarthy, who was eventually established under the Italian coach, the new look has brought a new atmosphere.
McCarthy added: 'It's good. Everyone's really enjoying it. He's brought a buzz about the place to be honest. Training's been very good, the standard's been very good and we're enjoying it.
'It's a big difference. Obviously he's worked in the Premier League. He's a top boss and he's really good.
Fighting fit: McCarthy says there is a 'real buzz' around the Ireland camp at the moment
'Obviously, we were gutted not to qualify for the World Cup but Roy and Martin have come in and got us going again.
“There's a real buzz around the place. Everyone's enjoying training and we want to try and qualify for a major tournament.
'These are two big games even though they're just friendlies. I think we'll take them seriously, want to try and get wins on the board. The new management will want to stamp their authority and get wins under their belt. It's always good to see that, especially going into a friendly.'
Source: Daily Mail
