2 weeks Ago By [email protected] (Paul O'Hehir)
Stephen Kenny has told Jamie Lennon and Mason Melia to ‘put themselves in the Ireland conversation’ - after a surprise visit from the new Irish boss. Heimir Hallgrimsson was an interested spectator at St Patrick Athletic’s training session at FAI headquarters on Tuesday. Aside from a handshake at the FAI Cup final last November, it was the first time Kenny has had a meaningful conversation with his permanent successor.
Hallgrimsson wasn’t there to watch Lennon, Melia or any of the other St Pat’s players in particular but “just wanted to say hello”, according to Kenny. But Kenny still feels those players should aspire to international level - and particularly midfield general Lennon considering the lack of options Ireland have in that area. Lennon - who Kenny previously hailed as St Pat’s version of Manchester City ace Rodri - turned down a move to America to sign back as he feels Kenny can deliver a title.
Yesterday, Kenny said: “We just want Jamie to put levels of performance in that puts him in the conversation, that’s all I said to him. There’s a lack of strength in depth in that area, that’s what I found as manager. Joe Redmond is excellent, a top player, but there’s a lot of centre backs, so it’s not easy.
” Kenny, who left the Ireland job when the FAI decided not to renew his contract after his final game in November 2023, continued: “I'm not telling anyone who they should pick. I just asked Jamie at the start of the year to put himself in the conversation by putting in strong performances. His performances in Europe last year were at a very high level.
“He’s incredibly important to us. We’ve so many other creative players and his passing has come on so much. He makes an insane amount of blocks and tackles and gets through a phenomenal amount of work.
He's one you certainly appreciate from the inside.” Kenny added: “The standard is high in terms of where the international players are playing at the moment - there are 13 in the Premier League. But there are players in the league that will continue to emerge, like Mason Melia, who was brilliant last season and is finding his form now.
A lot of teams have these players as well, but we want the players to put themselves in the conversation by having good performances.” Hallgrimsson and Kenny arranged their meet up a couple of days in advance of it happening, with the Saints boss stressing he always wants to see Ireland do well. Kenny said yesterday: “We just had a conversation, he was in the building, so I said, ‘No problem, come and watch training’.
I’m a big supporter of the Irish team, I’m behind the Irish team and I wish the team only good things. I know the players well and I wish Heimir all the best.” Meanwhile, Kenny is preparing his Saints for a huge derby clash with Shamrock Rovers in Inchicore tonight.
He reckons St Pat’s 3-0 win away to the Hoops in Tallaght last season was their best domestic performance under his watch. And sizing up tonight’s game, Kenny said: “Shamrock Rovers, in my opinion, were the team to beat this season. Obviously Shelbourne as well as champions, and there are a number of other teams who could challenge, certainly, but Shamrock Rovers are the team to beat.
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