Big Mac Explains Vienna Squad Choice

Kevin MacDonald has explained the youthful feel to the Rapid Vienna squad is simply so he can live up to his promise to give every player a chance.

Speaking on the Official Site in the final build up to tonights clash, MacDonald reiterated that everybody in the squad will get a fair crack at impressing and forcing themselves into the first team.

Once everybody has had a chance, the team will then be picked on merit so let the competition begin and let everybody prove they not only want to be in the first team, but more importantly that their form warrants them being in the first team.

With Richard Dunne suspended, Collins, Cuellar, Sidwell and Gabby all confirmed injured, and Carew (rumoured knee knock), Ash (hobbling after Wet Spam) and Luke Young rested, the squad was always going to be on the young side which concerns many following Martin O'Neill's previous Europa decisions, but it can hardly be helped with an injury list like that anyway.

'When I took over the job I did say everybody would be given an opportunity and it wouldn't be just the so called fringe players that were supposedly disappointed under Martin's regime.'

For those that were clearly unhappy under the previous manager, Big Mac's advice is pretty straight forward:

'It is now up to them to come up to the plate. They saw the standard that has been set by the other players on Saturday so hopefully they can perform like that.'

So simple as that really, he's already confirmed we will be taking the competition seriously and he would adore to get through to the group stages so it's not that Big Mac is prepared to sacrifice the Europa League this season, he's simply keeping his promise and giving everybody the chance to shine and contribute to our future.

Vital Villa on:

Vital Villa on:

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