Jack Taylor: 'I wanted to force myself into the manager's mind'
Jack Taylor was the big winner from the summer friendlies with a view to the World Cup qualifiers kicking off in September.
In the absence of five regulars — the rested trio of Josh Cullen, Finn Azaz and Mikey Johnston along with injured duo Chiedozie Ogbene and Sammie Szmodics — fringe players were urged to shine.
Taylor, a clubmate of the latter pair at Ipswich Town, excelled — both on his first start against Senegal last Friday and by upping the tempo following his introduction away to Luxembourg on Tuesday.
Two draws from the friendlies constituted a mixed return, particularly in the Grand Duchy, but when the dust settles the midfielder may recall these low-key end-of-season workouts as his springboard.
From delivering a defence-splitting pass for Troy Parrott to nick a goal ruled out for offside or crashing his late 25-yarder off the crossbar, Taylor was a standout performer in a middling game.
'It was always my aim to be a starter,' said the Londoner, eligible through his Longford grandfather, after expanding his international exposure to 147 minutes over five caps.
Taylor's fine effort from range crashed off the crossbar. Picture: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
'The lads did very well in previous camps but I've been thinking to myself to impress with every opportunity I get. Hopefully, that start comes in the next window.
'I knew there was a good chance of me starting, especially friendlies, to feed some new lads in who haven't had the opportunity yet. I came in with a strong mindset of forcing myself into the manager's mind.' His versatility is a trait Heimir Hallgrimsson will lean on when the six qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup unravel over 10 weeks from Hungary's visit to Dublin on September 6.
Newly-crowned Uefa Nations League champions Portugal and Armenia complete the four-nation group, from which the top team qualifies and runners-up enter the playoffs next March.
Taylor started against the Senegalese in the supporting role behind Adam Idah, whereas he was slightly deeper for his 35-minute stint in Luxembourg.
'I can play numerous positions and can do all of them,' he explained.
'I don't really have a set position, just wanting to get the boys playing good, fast-flowing football.
'We like to sit off in a 4-4-2 formation when we are out of possession, so it is a little bit deeper.
'I can adjust to roles quite easily so I don't mind where I am playing. Playing and performing is all that matters.' Momentum is the word being attached to Ireland's run of two wins and two draws but the latest, being scoreless by a team 30 places below in the Fifa's rankings, threatens to decelerate their engine.
'There is context to it,' asserted Taylor, defending the lacklustre display.
Ryan Manning, Jack Taylor, Jason Knight and Nathan Collins applaud the travelling fans after the game. Picture: Picture: Ryan Byrne/Inpho
'It's the last day of the season for all the lads. Knowing they are going on holiday the next day comes into play.
'We must take the positives out of it – going away from home against a side on paper you might say we should probably beat but they had some dangerous players.
'We kept a clean sheet but no doubt we definitely must improve.' Relegation means Ipswich begin preparations for Championship early, albeit Taylor and his fellow internationals get dispensation.
He'll soon be back on the training pitch with colleagues he'll be ultimately competing with for places in the Ipswich and Ireland teams.
'It was a long, hard season in the Premier League and we'll enjoy the rest,' he outlined.
'But you can't get out of shape. You have to monitor yourself in the off-season.
'Sammie and Chieo are two players the manager (Kieran McKenna) has placed his trust in and, hopefully, they will be fit for the next camp.
'I know Chieo has had a long injury but he is such a professional and I think he will come back in top nick and ready to attack the September window.'
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Nathan Collins happy to see Ireland carry momentum into World Cup qualifying
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