Former Town manager Roy Keane has hinted that Blues striker Daryl Murphy will start for the Republic of Ireland when they face Scotland in their crucial Euro 2016 qualifier at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Saturday (Sky Sports 1 from 4pm, KO 5pm). Fellow Blues frontman David McGoldrick is also in the Ireland squad, while Town defender Christophe Berra is in the Scottish party which flew to Dublin this morning.
Keane, now the assistant to Ireland boss Martin O’Neill, signed Murphy from Sunderland for the first of his three loan spells when in charge at Portman Road in February 2010 and is a big fan of the Blues 27-goal Championship top scorer.
"I've always liked Murph,” he said. "Did I ever think he'd get 27 goals in a season? I always thought he had the potential but potential is one thing.
"But I'm not surprised the way Murph's progressed his career. He has always been a good player, a good lad and very rarely injured.
"His training this week has been very, very good. Even against England, he created one or two chances. Again, if Murph starts, he won't let anyone down.”
O’Neill and Keane have plenty of options up front with Murphy and McGoldrick, ex-Town skipper Jon Walters, Southampton’s Shane Long and veteran Ireland top scorer Robbie Keane all in the squad.
Ireland failed to score against England in last week’s dreary 0-0 friendly draw and also were unable to find the net in the 1-0 defeat to the Scots at Celtic Park in November but Keane is confident whoever gets the nod will be capable of doing the job in front of goal.
Murphy, who has been capped 15 times, and McGoldrick, who has now played for Ireland twice, are both still to score at international level.
"I don't think we'll be starting with six strikers, you know,” Keane added. "But we've got to get players on the pitch who know how to put the ball in the back of the net. And we've got good competition here.
"Whoever starts the game won’t let us down. Murph is doing well, McGoldrick, Long - there are options up front.
"McGoldrick is a good player, although I know David's lacked match sharpness. Daryl Murphy's had the season of his life. Robbie, there's no doubting Robbie's quality."
The LA Galaxy striker has faced family tragedy this week with his cousins Alan and Stephen Harris both losing their lives after being overcome by toxic fumes while working on a Dublin sewer system on Wednesday.
The 34-year-old, who may now miss the game, was already expected to be amongst Ireland's subs due to a lack of match fitness following a groin injury
McGoldrick appears set to be on Ireland bench, while Berra, who will be out to add to his 29 Scotland caps and three international goals, is also likely to be a sub.
Ireland currently sit fourth in the Group D table on eight points, two behind the third-placed Scots, who trail Germany, who also have 10 points, on goal difference with Poland leading by a point.
"It's probably the biggest game we've had," Keane admitted. "And I think the atmosphere will take care of itself. The players are well aware of that.”
Murphy, McGoldrick, Berra and Kevin Bru, who is away with Mauritius ahead of Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Ghana, will all miss the beginning of pre-season with the Blues which starts in the final week of June.