‘They're about eight foot tall' jokes Jason Knight as he backs newest Ireland stars to impress with ‘eyes on World Cup'
JASON KNIGHT joked about how he is looking up to giant Ireland new-boys John Joe Patrick Finn and Killian Phillips.
But the midfielder now wants to take on more of a leadership role with the Boys in Green so team-mates can look up to him.
2
Jason Knight during a Republic of Ireland press conference at the FAI National Training Centre in Abbotstown
Credit: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
2
John Joe Patrick Finn is one of Ireland's newest call-ups
Credit: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
Knight's 37 caps make him the third-most experienced member of the squad preparing for Friday's friendly with
And the
Bristol
City captain reckons he must now step up as a leader on the field.
The 24-year-old said: 'I've tried to do that since I've come in. I've been a loud character as well, I try and lead on the pitch. So it wouldn't really change for me.
'I've been around a little bit now in the Irish set-up. It is time for everyone to step up and that means senior players and players who have played a lot as well, to help the lads who have come in sort of get into the group and normalise around the place.
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'Us sort of younger lads sort of matured now, we want to do something with the national team, we want to get to tournaments, we want to be successful in that realm.
'And that's what we've been talking about here. All eyes are on the
'There's probably eight, nine, ten of us that have come in at the same time and now we have 20-plus caps so that is only going to be to the benefit of the team and the country.
'The performances have to back that up as well, and the results. That's what we are going to have to try and do coming into September.'
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Knight is keen for a leadership role this week as the elder statesman in midfield, with boss
Josh
Cullen, among others, the
summer
off. It means Finn, 21, of Stade Reims and St Mirren's Phillips, 23, could make debuts — and 5ft 8in Knight joked the two six-footers give the side a new dimension.
He said: 'They bring something different, obviously both the lads are about eight foot tall, which is helpful.
Heimir Hallgrimsson gives first call-up to four Ireland players in squad for friendlies vs Senegal and Luxembourg
'But really good on the ball, really good around the place and the lads have sort of welcomed them really well.
'So hopefully they play a part and make a difference as well.'
Knight relishes the competition for his place from the pair as he looks to continue his own remarkable season that saw him play every minute of his club's league campaign, which included two legs of a
He also featured in all the Robins' cup games while, with
Were
But Knight was delighted to get the call and added: 'I've had a couple of weeks off, got the feet up and got some sun so I'm ready to go. I've got a few games now and I can have another couple of weeks off after that.
'There's always knocks and niggles you can get through but I have been fortunate to get through the season without hurting myself too badly.
'You can always get through a certain pain barrier and get on the pitch.'
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