JOE MASON AT EURO 2012 ?

ROBBIE Keane and Stephen McPhail are in total agreement that young Cardiff City striker Joe Mason is ready for his first senior international cap.

It seems a long shot that Mason, still only 20, will be given a late call into the Republic of Ireland squad for the European Championship finals this summer.

But former Leeds and Republic team-mates Keane and McPhail are pressing Mason’s case back home.

“It’s important young players of real quality like Joe come through,” says Keane (inset right), the Los Angeles Galaxy striker who has earned 115 caps for Ireland


“He has had an outstanding season and was one of the best players on the pitch when he scored against Liverpool in the Carling Cup final.”

McPhail, of course, has been playing for the Bluebirds alongside Mason, who has scored 10 goals and made a remarkable impact during his first Championship season.

“Joe’s a terrific young player who has come on leaps and bounds,” said McPhail.

“He seems to find space easily and is only going to get even better.

“He’s ready for a first Republic of Ireland senior cap and I’d love to see him called up.

“I’ve been pushing his name back home and believe he has done enough to deserve a place in the squad.”

While Keane and McPhail are keen to see Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni turn to Mason, the Plymouth-born striker is playing down thoughts of earning his first senior cap.

He has played for Ireland at under-19 and under-21 levels, but is yet to be have that first senior call.

Ireland have been drawn in a European Championship finals group alongside Spain, Italy and Croatia and, while Mason admits he has a burning ambition to play for the country where his mother was born in County Mayo, he is realistic enough to say: “That’s a real long shot.

“The finals this summer are probably too early for me.

“Winning a senior cap is not something I am thinking about right now, but there are four Championship matches to go and then, hopefully, the play-offs. Who knows what is possible.

“My whole focus is on giving Cardiff City 100 per cent. If Ireland did call then that would be great, but all my thoughts right now are on Cardiff.

“I have a personal dream to play Premier League football, along with everybody else in our squad.

“If that ever happens I want that to be with Cardiff.

“Right now we are in a good position and everybody is determined to have a real good push at it.”

Mason turns 21 on May 13 and a call from Trapattoni would certainly be a perfect birthday present, as would Cardiff winning promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs.

Mason missed City’s home draw against Watford on Easter Monday after tweaking a groin in training, but should feature at Barnsley tomorrow.

This has already been a memorable season for Mason, whose raw ability proved too much to resist for newly-appointed City manager Malky Mackay.

The Scot spent £150,000 on the Plymouth prodigy, a fee which could eventually rise to £250,000.

Mason, still growing, looks a little frail for a centre-forward, but is working hard on body strength in the gymnasium at City’s Vale of Glamorgan resort training headquarters.

And he has shown time and again he has an intensity and focus which means he can take on the biggest Championship defenders.

“In the long-term I’d like to play centre-forward, but I know body strength is a big issue for me,” he said.

“The gaffer (Malky Mackay) and the fitness staff and helping me work with weights in the gym and I am really feeling the benefits.”

Mason’s natural ability to find space inside the penalty area is a skill which would be virtually impossible to learn.

That quality was evident during the Carling Cup final in February when Liverpool defenders failed to pick his run.

Picked out by Kenny Miller’s pass, he broke in behind the Reds’ back-line to fire City ahead and he constantly tested an accomplished full-back in the shape of Spaniard Jose Enrique.

His awareness and selfless ability to link with team-mates are among the attributes which have picked him out as a player with Premier potential.

Mason arrived as fourth-ranked striker behind Miller, Robert Earnshaw and Rudy Gestede, but he has pushed on to claim a regular place in the team.

His 10 goals scored so far are a testament to his progress and as he matures the ambition would be to become a 20-goal per season striker.

He freely admits ‘feeling bad’ about edging ahead of Earnshaw this season and says: “I feel I have already improved 100 per cent.

“Earnie has helped me such a lot with bits of advice and I thank him so much for that.

“I really want to make a success of my time with Cardiff. The manager gave me a massive chance when he signed me and I will do everything I can to repay his faith in me.

“It was a big step-up to the Championship – and I mean no disrespect to Plymouth in saying that – but I feel settled. I am enjoying my football so much.

“I enjoy playing in the hole behind a main striker, further forward or anywhere across the front-line.

“I’m quietly ambitious and I’d like to think that if I work hard and keep improving then I can play Premier League football for the Bluebirds.

“But I won’t get ahead of myself.

“It’s important that I keep working, keep contributing to the team when I am given a chance and learn at every opportunity.”



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I agree 100% especially with a sqaud of 22 or 23 then Joe has to go to the Euros

As someone with a deep interest in this, not a f*cking chance. This season.

It will be hard enough to whittle down the strikers that we have at the moment, never mind new ones. Only player who should sneak in is McClean from Sunderland

I don't think he will as there are more experience players who will go

Plus I don't want to see him, I want to see him a rest for the summer and get him back properly for next season

great news!

lets hope it will increase his skills and ability for next season

he truley deserves it!

representing cardiff in the euro 2012

at least its not england

He may not have that much of a chance at the moment, but if we get to the play-offs and he has a good final and scores the winner at Wembley, then he may have every chance

I can't see him making it but would be excellent if he could.

i'd love to see mason there. it would give me more of an intrest in euro 2012.

As someone with a deep interest in this, not a f*cking chance. This season.

It will be hard enough to whittle down the strikers that we have at the moment, never mind new ones. Only player who should sneak in is McClean from Sunderland

Some sense

I feel that Joe Mason is the best young prospect we've had at the club since Aaron Ramsey

i've said it alot but it really astounds me just how good Mason's movement is and how well he opens up the space for the midfield, when he plays up front, that said he is by no means the finished article yet

It would give me someone to support at Euro 2012 other than just whoever is playing England!!

Good luck Joe.

I feel that Joe Mason is the best young prospect we've had at the club since Aaron Ramsey

i've said it alot but it really astounds me just how good Mason's movement is and how well he opens up the space for the midfield, when he plays up front, that said he is by no means the finished article yet

Such a shame we dont play him upfront

Can people with stock in the game please stfu about him.

If anyone asks: he's shit, scored some fluke goals, can't pass, picks the ball up half the time because he's a rugby boy at heart and we only play him out of pity.

Can people with stock in the game please stfu about him.

If anyone asks: he's shit, scored some fluke goals, can't pass, picks the ball up half the time because he's a rugby boy at heart and we only play him out of pity.

Worst post ever!!
You obviously havent seen him play

Can people with stock in the game please stfu about him.

If anyone asks: he's shit, scored some fluke goals, can't pass, picks the ball up half the time because he's a rugby boy at heart and we only play him out of pity.

Worst post ever!!
You obviously havent seen him play

You've completely missed what he was saying

Can people with stock in the game please stfu about him.

If anyone asks: he's shit, scored some fluke goals, can't pass, picks the ball up half the time because he's a rugby boy at heart and we only play him out of pity.

Worst post ever!!
You obviously havent seen him play

oh dear. taxi.

Can people with stock in the game please stfu about him.

If anyone asks: he's shit, scored some fluke goals, can't pass, picks the ball up half the time because he's a rugby boy at heart and we only play him out of pity.

Worst post ever!!
You obviously havent seen him play

worst post ever!

Can people with stock in the game please stfu about him.

If anyone asks: he's shit, scored some fluke goals, can't pass, picks the ball up half the time because he's a rugby boy at heart and we only play him out of pity.

Worst post ever!!
You obviously havent seen him play

worst post ever!

just because he wernt that good at plymouth it dont mean hes the same at cardiff

hes deffo improved and hes on 20 years of age!

give him time and he will be the next messi