Gillespie fit for qualifiers

Veteran winger boosts Worthington's plans

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 5th September 2008

gillespie keith

Gillespie: Seasoned international

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Keith Gillespie has shaken off a knock to his ankle and is ready for World Cup action.

The winger is set to embark on a remarkable 15th season donning the Northern Ireland shirt and looks set to win his 82nd cap against Slovakia on Saturday.

The return of the Sheffield United star comes as a massive boost to boss Nigel Worthington as he looks to the experienced members of his squad to provide the inspiration for a winning start on the road to South Africa.

Gillespie is certainly an old hand when it comes to qualifying campaigns, but insists he still gets the same thrill now from representing his country as he did when he made his debut against Portugal back in 1994.

Enthusiasm

"It is pretty easy to maintain my enthusiasm for Northern Ireland. Anyone who pulls on the green shirt is proud to do so," he said.

"I just want to play for my country as long as I can. I have had a frustrating month with the injury but I am over it now.

"I have had five or six days training and the ankle feels fine. There are no problems and I feel I can do a full game, if needed."

Confidence

Northern Ireland are looking to build on a promising Euro 2008 campaign which saw them narrowly miss out on the finals as they finished third in a group which included European powerhouses Spain and Sweden.

Gillespie feels those perfromances reinvigorated the country and is backing Worthington's men to be among the frontrunners once again.

He continued: "It is especially nice at the moment with the way things are going. The confidence is high as we have a good mix of young and experienced players.

"What we have to do now is to produce the football we did in the majority of those Euro qualifiers and eradicate the mistakes.

"If we can do that then we will have every chance of qualifying for a major championship for the first time (since 1986)."

Improve

Gillespie is aware, though, that a good start is vital, especially as Czech Republic are due in Belfast next Wednesday for a crunch encounter.

"It is important we get off to a good start. That is a must," he added.

"My feeling is we can beat anyone at home - just look at our results against England (in 2005), Spain and Sweden. It is just our away form we have to improve on."