JOEY O’BRIEN is not sure if he will lead Shelbourne out for their Champions League qualifier against Linfield.
But he is preparing as if he will be in charge.
The former Ireland international took over as Reds interim chief last weekend after Damien Duff’s shock Tolka Park exit.
O’Brien has overseen two draws since against Waterford and Galway United — with the latter coming on Friday at Eamonn Deacy Park as Mipo Odubeko’s opener was cancelled out late on in a 1-1 draw.
And with the Champions League tie against Linfield just over a week away, O’Brien is playing things by ear.
But he is acting as if he will be in charge as he travelled to watch the Irish League champions take on Haverfordwest County in a friendly yesterday.
O’Brien said: “It was so quick.
“It was just about taking the two games and then everyone will decide. The club will decide what they want to do.
“I suppose that will probably happen over the next few days.
“I never really thought about the manager job when I was working with the manager.
“What he created is unbelievable. I know we are off the pace but the standard of player here is very high.
“People look at results and think, ‘They’re miles off it’. But if you watched our games, so many games are like Friday.
“We dominated but haven’t got the wins you would most of the time.
“I’m heading to Linfield this weekend but that was planned.
“It’s a massive opportunity for the football club.
“I don’t know what the club will ask me or if they will ask me. I haven’t thought like that.
“It was a bit like taking the team on Monday, I wasn’t really asked, it just happened.
“Look at the draw we got. I am sure Linfield are saying the same. It’s a great draw for them.
“They probably fancy their chances as much as we fancy our chances.
“It’s going to be a tough game.”
‘TRUE FRIEND’
Shels host the Blues in the first leg of their Champions League tie on July 9 before the second leg is held in Belfast a week later.
But despite a hectic week, O’Brien was clear on what is important to him. And he still puts value on his friendship with Duff.
Caretaker O’Brien said: “My relationship with the manager is concrete from the point of view of what he has done for me and what I have learned.
“On a personal level, he is a true friend.
“There are not many friends that I have, to be honest, especially not through football.
“He is a forever friend. I spoke to him but they are ultimately private conversations.
“I still love him. That’s all that matters really.
“We’re similar in ways. There’s only a handful of people I still speak to in football from all the time I spent over in England.
“It’s hard because you sometimes don’t really get that close to others in the business, especially as a player because dressing rooms change and people move on.
“We got really close over the last 3½ years.
“When you’re in it, it’s the only thing that matters but there are bigger things in life.
“That’s ultimately it. It’s a game of ball.
“It’s about going out to enjoy yourself and to express yourself.”
