Cyrus Christie was watching from the sidelines at the Aviva Stadium in March when Neil Taylor launched himself at Séamus Coleman. Like the rest of the country, he found a new depth in the pit of his stomach when Coleman’s fate became all too apparent, but he had to get on with it, walking from the substitutes’ bench to make his seventh international appearance in the 20 minutes that remained of that World Cup qualifier.
With the Everton star needing a miracle to recover from his broken leg before the end of the calendar year, Christie is now highly likely to more than double his cap total before this campaign is over.
“He’s got big shoes to fill,” was manager Martin O’Neill’s first offering when Christie’s name cropped up earlier this week in New Jersey, a comment seconded by the Derby County right back.
“Séamus is a fantastic player and he’ll be a big loss for us in so many ways,” Christie said.
“For me, I need to step up and kind of do it for him too. He’s backing me which fills me with confidence. Everyone here, the manager, staff and players give me confidence to go out and implement my style.
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“Seamus and I are similar players in some ways but I have to be my own man. Hopefully I can fill his boots.”
It won’t be easy. Quite apart from the fact that Coleman is Ireland’s best player, he’s also their captain, growing in influence from the moment Martin O’Neill surprisingly named his captain for Ireland’s victory over Italy in last year’s European Championships.
“He’s been immense,” O’Neill insisted. “The captaincy suits him. He’s grown into the role and will be sorely missed.”
Christie’s job then is to ensure that he isn’t too badly missed and his latest chance to prove his worth came overnight as O’Neill deployed him at wing back in a new-look 3-5-2 system against Mexico at the MetLife Stadium.
But the more pressing test comes around the corner next week when Austria pitch up in Dublin for a qualifier that could go a long way to deciding Ireland’s World Cup destiny.
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Christie’s latest chance to do that came overnight as O’Neill deployed him at wing back in a new-look 3-5-2 system against Mexico at the MetLife Stadium.
“Everyone here, the manager, staff and players give me confidence to go out and implement my style
For Christie it feels good to be needed, especially after a season when the veteran Chris Baird was preferred to the 24-year-old at club level.
“I know what I’m capable of,” Christie, who has one year remaining on his Derby deal, said. “On my day I think I am the best right back in the Championship.
“My main focus now is playing for this country and doing well against Austria and Uruguay. Anything else is irrelevant to me.
“Once these series of games are over, I’ll go on holiday and relax for a while and then when I get back to the club I’ll see what happens.
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“I’m not thinking about my future away from Derby.”
In an effort to sharpen up for the hectic end-of-season international schedule Christie came Stateside ahead of time, to EXOS, an athlete performance centre in Los Angeles.
“I was doing three sessions a day in California for eight days. I feel the benefits already in terms of sharpness,” he said.
With plenty to contend with, Christie is not short of inspiration away from the game. His uncle Errol Christie, a record-breaking amateur boxer who went on to become European middleweight champion, is battling what increasingly seems to be the final stages of a terminal small-cell lung cancer.
His nephew is a keen follower of many sporting disciplines — Christie also spoke of his admiration for New York Giants star Odell Beckham Jr as he worked out on NFL turf at the MetLife Stadium — but draws particular strength from his fighting family.
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“He’s got over 100 tumours in his body. No one has actually survived that long with what he’s got, they’ve said. The tumours are that strong they’re pushing through his body,” Christie said.
“I went down to visit him because obviously he’s only got a while left and he could pass while I’m away with the national team.
“He said he can’t fight any more, it’s too much for him now. That’s the first time I’ve heard anything negative coming from his mouth. It’s been a tough time for my family.
“His career was phenomenal to be honest and there were some records that can’t be beaten because they’ve taken away the titles.
“He’ll live long in the memory. He’s got a great fanbase and people in boxing love him. He’s world-renowned, everyone is rooting for him.
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“He’s paved the way for our generation to do what we are doing, the struggles and the trials and tribulations he came through were fantastic and it gives you the courage to carry on and come through adversity.”