Former Ireland player responds to Didi Hamann’s criticism of Stephen Kenny’s Andrew Moran call.
Kenny’s decision to promote Moran to the senior squad for the Euro 2024 qualifier against the Netherlands at the expense of Ireland’s U21 team was deemed “inexcusable” by Hamann.
Stephen Kenny’s decision to call up Andrew Moran to the Ireland senior squad was criticized by Didi Hamann, to which Stephen Hunt has responded.
Kenny’s decision to promote Moran to the senior squad for the Euro 2024 qualifier against the Netherlands at the expense of Ireland’s U21 team was deemed “inexcusable” by Hamann.
Norway defeated the U21 team in their Euro 2021 qualifier on Friday night, and Moran did not play for the senior team at the Johan Cruyff Arena.
READ MORE: Kenny reacts to Hamann’s comment about the Moran call-up being “inexcusable”
On the eve of Ireland’s match against the Netherlands, Hamann stated, “The Under-21s had a very important game against Norway last night.” “They defeated Turkey last month, and Moran played a fantastic game.
“You win four games in a row and are in a strong position to win the group if you win like you did yesterday (against Norway). You now lose to Norway, have to travel to Italy, and must stop in Turkey.
“I believe that by bringing in Andrew Moran, Stephen Kenny denied Jim Crawford, his team, and the coaching staff the opportunity to compete in the European Championship.
“Stephen Kenny is employed by the FAI, he has to do what’s best for the FAI,” Hamann said.
“He must make every choice not for his own interests but for the good of Irish football and the FAI.
“This is why it’s inexcusable to call up the vice-captain of the team, who’s a main player, the heart of the team.”
However, Hamann’s criticism of Kenny’s choice, in the opinion of former Ireland winger Stephen Hunt, was over the top because Kenny will gain priceless experience in the senior setup.
“Andy is playing at a level at Blackburn now where he deserves to be in the squad and has a chance of playing,” Hunt stated on Off the Ball.
It would have been great if he had played for ten minutes against Holland, but he didn’t.
“A player requires time to adjust to the circumstances, as you can observe firsthand in training.
“He might be preparing for tomorrow night’s match against New Zealand, as it’s a significant ask traveling into Holland.”
“Yes, he could have played for the U21s, but he wouldn’t have had the opportunity to travel with the team and live in a camp.
“It might make him more settled for tomorrow night when I expect him to play some part for sure.”
Hunt responded that he needed to bite his lip when questioned about Hamann’s punditry in a more general sense.
“Listen, let’s not even talk about Didi Hamann. I’m attempting to maintain my composure at the moment because Jason McAteer and these boys are going head-to-head.
“I want to avoid bringing up any contentious issues.
