Dean Kiely insists Ireland will be well served by ‘elite’ goalkeepers for the next decade at least.
The former Irish international is Stephen Kenny's keeper coach with the national team, working with some of the rising stars of world football.
Manchester City’s Gavin Bazunu - on loan at Portsmouth - nailed down the role of Ireland No 1 in 2021 but has Liverpool’s Caoimhin Kelleher breathing down his neck.
And Mark Travers is in the mix too after starring for Bournemouth who sit top of the Championship table this season.
Kiely told Off The Ball: “Before taking up the role, I was aware of Gavin Bazunu, Caoimhín Kelleher, Mark Travers, James Talbot and Kieran O’Hara.
“Those are the people I’ve had when in and around it and this isn’t just a little flurry of form that will fall away.
“These are elite players and elite people that will be around the squad for a decade or so - that’s incredible.
“When these players turn up when selected, they’re excellent. Caoimhín, Gavin, Mark, they’ve got all the clubs in the bag and, in the main, they use the right ones.”
But with Bazunu, 19, in command of the gloves for now, it is Kiely and Kenny’s job to keep Kelleher, 23, and Travers, 22, motivated as the back-up options.
Kiely, who won 11 Ireland caps between 1999 and 2008, is also Crystal Palace’s goalkeeper coach.
And the 51-year-old said: “You’ve got to stimulate them, spend time with them and it can’t just be focused on the No 1 goalkeeper.
“We’re a unit, whether this be international or at my club. I’ll say to the goalkeepers, I don’t pick the team, I don’t pick the goalkeeper, I polish you guys up.
“The manager picks the team and once the decision is made, the other two are in a support mode.
“I got 11 caps for Ireland which I’m hugely proud of but, most of the time, I was in a supporting role to Shay (Given) .
“I was happy to do that because once you get over the disappointment of not playing, your next job as a two or three is to support the No 1.”
And Kiely added: “I don’t want someone sitting around feeling sorry for themselves and feeling negative.
“We’ve a nice environment here, certainly in Ireland, healthy competition but respectful of each other.
“It’s okay to be frustrated or disappointed that you’re not playing in the team. That disappointment and frustration needs to be individual, away from the group.
“You need to process it and crack on so when you come out of your room, onto the training pitch, you’re all singing, all dancing helping the team.”
Bazunu has won 10 caps for Ireland while Travers and Kelleher have three and two appearances respectively.
Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email alerts
