As a relative latecomer to the big time himself, Seamus Coleman knows the values of young players cutting their teeth in the League of Ireland.
Coleman was 21 before Everton signed him for a £60,000 bargain from Sligo Rovers in January 2009.
Several of his current Republic of Ireland team-mates have played League of Ireland, a route Coleman believes to be more beneficial than what seems to be a jump into the big-time at an early age.
“You can only make the choice that is front of you. It is a tough one, because if you are a 15 or 16-year-old and a club comes in for you, say it is Manchester United or Everton, it’s very difficult to say no,” Coleman – who will receive the Freedom of Donegal later this year – says.
“The better route for me, though, might be the League of Ireland. I’ve experienced the benefits of the League of Ireland and it’s great to see Daryl Horgan thrive in that environment and subsequently thrive at Preston.
“There are benefits to that route but there are benefits for joining a club in England at 16 as well; the training and facilities are second to none.
“We’d all love to see young Irish talent come through right away and play Premier League football at 18 or 19.
“But if it doesn’t happen, it doesn’t mean it won’t happen at some other stage. In my situation, I played 55 times for Sligo Rovers; playing for points, learning how three points meant so much to everyone – the fans, the players, the manager.
“Players had bills to pay. They needed those points to help get another contract. The motivation was there.
“So you had to work so very hard and I brought that attitude with me when I came across. There was a huge benefit to playing so many games in front of fans – and there are benefits for players who came a different route, whether it is the lower leagues in England, or wherever.”
Although it’s transfer deadline day and Coleman is again subjected to rumours about a possible move to Manchester United, his full focus is on Wednesday night’s game at Stoke City.
Everton are pushing for a place in the top six and Coleman says: “We have been playing well recently. We got off to a decent start – then it was a tricky spell – when the top six pulled away in that period.
“We have been left to play catch-up on them. We want to stay in touch. As a player, as a team, you want to look up, rather than down.
“The top six are difficult to compete with, because of the money they have, the number of talented players within their squads, but we have to try and hold onto their tails. We are five points off. We have to believe.”
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