Football Tigers

John O'Shea admits he is surprised former team-mate Ruud van Nistelrooy has been omitted from the Holland squad to face Republic of Ireland.

Despite a high-profile exit from Manchester United to Real Madrid this summer, the prolific marksman has been overlooked for the Dutch squad to face the Irish on Wednesday.
"You could say I'm surprised they've dropped him, but that is the manager's prerogative," remarked United defender O'Shea.
"It shows the quality they have when they can leave out players like Ruud and Mark van Bommel. It's going to be quite interesting.
"But I had been hoping to meet up with Ruud again. I was sad to see him go, not just because of his talent and the goals he scored, but as a friend too.
"As the manager [Sir Alex Ferguson] always says, though, the club move on, and we've brought in Michael Carrick who is going to be a great addition to our squad."
O'Shea is adamant no-one is irreplaceable, not even a player who averaged 30 goals a season, as has been proven in the past.
He reflected: "Look at other players who have left the club, like [Eric] Cantona and [Roy] Keane.
"People said they were irreplaceable, but different players come in and add their qualities to the team.
"You have to move forward because if you keep looking back then you would be into the season and you could lose a few points."
One United star O'Shea will be up against is veteran goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar, now 35 and with 108 caps to his name.
"It's amazing the run he has had for Holland," smiled O'Shea.
"He was telling me the average age of the Dutch squad now is 23 or 24 - and that it would be around 20 but for him being in the squad!"
Ireland manager Steve Staunton only has 20 players available to face the Dutch following the withdrawals through injury of captain Robbie Keane, goalkeeper Shay Given, centre-back Richard Dunne, along with Alan Lee, Stephen Ireland and Terry Dixon.