JOE caught up with Hull City and Republic of Ireland player, Robbie Brady for a quick chat this week.
JOE – Hello Robbie, thanks for joining us. First things first, how is the injury?
Robbie – Grand, yeah, no bother, I’m on the downhill of it now, all looking good, a couple of weeks ahead of schedule and looking to be back before the end of the season.
JOE – Really? The initial diagnosis had you out for the whole season?
Robbie – Yeah, that’s what I thought too, but I went to see the specialist a couple of weeks ago and met the physios and they think I could be ready for the last week or two of the season.
JOE – It must be tough being out injured at the moment with the big day out at Wembley, the FA Cup Semi-Final against Sheffield United this weekend?
Robbie – It is hard to watch alright, but I’ll be down at Wembley cheering the lads on hoping we get the right result and with a bit of luck I might be in contention for the final if we do get there.
JOE – Hull have had a fantastic season under Steve Bruce. Most people had predicted that Hull would be favourites for relegation. How do you find Steve Bruce as a manager?
Robbie – He’s done a great job and he’s brought in some great lads, especially increasing the Irish contingent there with Shane Long coming in. It’s great to have the Irish lads around the place on a daily basis. We’ve done well this season and it’s been nice changing a few people’s views on us. I think one more win should see us absolutely safe from the drop and then we can think about pushing on next season.
JOE – Obviously, with you joining Hull from Manchester United there is a lot of interest in United from Ireland…
Robbie – I’m a fan of United myself!
JOE – Oh really? That must have been extra tough so to have to leave the club you’ve supported all your life? What prompted that decision? Alex Ferguson often spoke about you in glowing terms and had a lot of hopes for you to break through into the first team squad.
Robbie – I loved my time at United (pic below). I wouldn’t be half the player I am today if it wasn’t for my time there. The coaches there are brilliant. It just got to the stage where I felt I was getting on and there were a lot of players ahead of me in the queue. I needed to play. So the opportunity came to go on loan at Hull and I left United very amicably. I still have a few friends there who I keep in contact with. I was fortunate, I suppose, that in my first season with Hull, we won promotion to the Premier League so here I am playing where I’ve always wanted to play. It’s a great club and I’m very happy here.
JOE – We often hear in the papers about transfers and that the selling club can sometimes insert a clause into a sale which gives them first option on the player should the buying club sell in the future. Did United put in any such clause?
Robbie – I’ve no idea to be honest if there’s anything in the contract which says that. All I knew was that the deal was agreed and I was happy to sign for Hull. There might be something there but if we ever get to that stage, I’m sure I’ll find out.
JOE – It’s been well documented this season about the problems David Moyes has had following in the footsteps of Alex Ferguson and United are experiencing one of their worst seasons in living memory. Why do you think it’s been such a hard season for them?
Robbie – I don’t think it’s any one reason. Obviously it’s been a huge season of change for them. Nobody knew anything else other than having Alex Ferguson as boss. It’s just been a massive hole to fill and I don’t think anyone envisaged how big of a hole it was. Okay, they haven’t had the best of seasons, but I think they should stick with David Moyes and let him have the time he needs to turn things around.
JOE – You’ve obviously broken through into the senior Irish football squad. Have you noticed a new buzz around the place, a sense of optimism with the appointments of Martin O’Neill and Roy Keane? Have you met them?
Robbie – Yeah I have. I went to meet Martin back in November for a chat and he’s like a breath of fresh air around the place. The players are all buzzing with the new regime and really enjoying working under the two of them. I’m just raring to go and get back playing in the green jersey again (pic below). It’s all positive for the fans, the players, it’s just great to have a bit of optimism again. Everyone wants to do well and everyone is dying to play for Martin and Roy.
JOE – It’s a tough group obviously with Germany being the dominant team there and the race, realistically, is all about finishing second which this time means automatic qualification and none of your play-off shenanigans. That must be a real incentive for the squad?
Robbie – Big time. It’s a huge incentive. I know we took a bit of a hiding against Germany last time out at the Aviva, but hopefully we won’t be letting that happen again. We just need to take it game by game, get a few wins under our belt and try sneak something from either of the German matches. That should be enough to see us through.
JOE – Robbie Brady, it’s been an absolute pleasure talking to you. Best of luck with the recovery and hopefully we’ll see you back playing sooner rather than later.
Robbie – No problem at all, thanks for having me.
Irish international football players Robbie Brady and Emma Byrne were on hand today to announce details of the Doritos Penalty Shootout competition. Snack-loving teams of mates across Ireland and the UK are being given the extraordinary opportunity to compete for the chance to take a penalty against the England No.1 goalkeeper Joe Hart. The winning team that scores the most goals will also receive the ‘Ultimate Mates Football Trip’, offering the opportunity to travel by private jet to the football capitals of Europe this summer! It’s a dream trip to Madrid, Munich and Milan, with luxury hotels all the way. To enter, entrants need to be over 18 and register at Doritos.co.uk by 18th April, uploading a video of them and their mates showing off their top football skills and tricks on the pitch!
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