Didi Hamman tears into Stephen Kenny over Andrew Moran decision

Robert Redmond

“Inexcusable.”

Didi Hamann has criticised Stephen Kenny for the decision to call Andrew Moran into the senior squad for a dead rubber and a friendly.

The former Germany midfielder feels the player would have been better served with the Under-21 squad and playing in competitive games.

Didi Hamman tears into Stephen Kenny over Andrew Moran call-up.

The highly-rated midfielder, currently on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion at Blackburn Rovers, missed Ireland’s Under-21 qualifier on Friday night after being called into the senior squad for the fixtures against the Netherlands and New Zealand.

Ireland U21s lost their Euros qualifier 3-2 in the player’s absence and will be without him for the game against Italy on Tuesday.

Hamann and the rest of the RTÉ panel – Shay Given and Richie Sadlier – criticised the decision to move Moran into the senior squad.

They felt that the midfielder would have been better served playing for the underage team as they attempt to qualify for a major tournament.

The senior side, meanwhile, have no chance of qualifying for Euro 2024 and Moran was not included in the starting lineup for the Dutch game.

Hamann was heavily critical of Kenny’s decision.

Andrew Moran pictured before the UEFA EURO 2024 Championship qualifying group B match between Netherlands and Republic of Ireland at Johan Cruijff ArenA in Amsterdam. (Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile)

Hamann criticises Kenny over Moran move.

“The Under-21s had a very important game against Norway last night. They beat Turkey last month and Moran was outstanding in that game,” the former Liverpool midfielder said ahead of Ireland’s game against the Netherlands in Amsterdam.

“If you win yesterday (against Norway), you win four out of four, and you’re in a very strong position and talking about winning the group. Now, you lose to Norway, Italy on the way, you also have to go to Turkey.

“I feel that Stephen Kenny with his addition of Andrew Moran took away the chance for Jim Crawford and his squad and the coaching staff – he took away the chance to play in the Euros.

“Stephen Kenny is employed by the FAI, he has to do what’s best for the FAI,” Hamann continued.

“Every decision he’s got to make in the best interests of the FAI and for Irish football – not for his personal interests.

“This is why it’s inexcusable to call up the vice-captain of the team, who’s a main player, the heart of the team.

“To call him up for a dead rubber against Holland – where he’s on the bench. He might get 10, 15 minutes.”

You can watch Hamann speak about Kenny below.

"It was inexcusable" – @DietmarHamann disagrees with the decision to call Andrew Moran into the senior squad
💻 Updates: https://t.co/u732YPAjWD
🖥 Watch: https://t.co/XnOP6grnB7 @RTEplayer
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— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) November 18, 2023