Glenn in mood to match up to Modric
GLENN WHELAN says he's eager for a midfield battle with Luka Modric (picture) in Poznan tomorrow, because he's already got the better of the Croatian star at club level, writes Aidan Fitzmaurice.
The Dubliner enjoyed his tussles with some Croats last season as he played in both legs as Stoke City beat Hajduk Split 2-0 on aggregate in the Europa League, while Whelan and pals overcame Modric's Spurs side at the Britannia Stadium in December.
"I've done okay," said a modest Whelan when asked about his encounters with Modric. "We beat them at our place this year and they scored a last-minute equaliser at their place.
"I did okay against him. It's not just about me and him. It's the team. Against Stoke in the last few years, we've done really well. There was talk of Modric going for £30-40million last summer and this summer. He's done very, very well. But I'll put myself against him and try to match him.
"He's one of them that if you give him time and space he'll hurt you. If you don't get tight and he can see a pass, he'll pick that pass out. It's goal-scoring opportunities with the passes he can see. When we played them in a friendly, he played a different role to the way he played for Spurs so it's something we'll have to deal with.
"But it's not just Modric, Croatia have got other players as well. It's something for me," added Whelan.
Latest Herald
Care homes for religious not part of vaccine roll-out plans
'Breast milk bank saved my baby's life'
'Phased reopening' of schools on the cards
Non-essential shops unlikely to reopen as restrictions ease - Martin
HSE faces barrage of legal claims due to delays in care, solicitors caution
Study may OK use of vitamin D in battle
GPs fear lack of vaccines for over-70s 'could lead to a lot of tensions with patients'
Animals guitarist Hilton Valentine dies aged 77
Push to double knife crime jail sentences
'Coming soon' - Laura shows off baby bump
Top Stories
Boxing hero Shauna comes out swinging for Vhi Mini Marathon
When will my energy bill fall and why is the regulator not doing more?
‘There is unprecedented pressure’ – late bookers face €300 fortnight parking charge at Dublin Airport
From peat lands to fuel prices, these four key fault lines are threatening the Coalition’s cohesion
Latest NewsMore
British Soap Awards: Stars do battle for best dramatic moments
The Gallows Pole review: gritty realism and crisp white sheets as Yorkshire seethes with pre-industrial tension
Red Books, the little bookshop that could —‘There’s a real family atmosphere and you meet all sorts of people. It’s the place to be’
-
Singer Cathy Davey: ‘I am hairy where girls aren’t meant to be. I have calloused hands; my feet would scare children’
-
‘I am an anomaly. Women like me are not meant to succeed in this industry’: Siobhán McSweeney on her losing her parents, almost quitting acting and that Bafta win
-
Meet the mid-life surfers: ‘These women don’t give a f**k. They don’t care if they fall off or what they look like’
The new generation of Irish ice cream makers: ‘The maddest flavour we’ve done was sweet potato gelato with black pepper’
-
Diarmuid Gavin’s guide to plants that will thrive in dry conditions
-
Style Notes: New designs from Fresh Cuts, charming Havaianas flip flops and Fran + Jane boutique turns 20
-
Asking for a friend: ‘My partner insists she has the right to look through my phone. Will asking her to move in with me reassure her I’m not cheating?’
