Holland - looks up to Roy Keane.

By Richard Gibson, PA Sport

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As a midfield player there can be little higher praise than being compared to Roy Keane.

Manchester United's captain, the lynchpin of both his club side and the Republic of Ireland, is almost irreplacable.

But only almost, according to Republic manager Mick McCarthy.

McCarthy has found another with a relentless desire to succeed in Matt Holland, leader of Ipswich.

"I've said it before about Matty and it's the best compliment I can pay him that since he's been in the squad we don't miss Roy as much as we used to," said McCarthy, of the 27-year-old, who made his international debut in the final Euro 2000 qualifier in Macedonia, when a last-gasp goal denied them a place in the Finals.

"You won't find anybody around the place worrying, complaining or bemoaning the fact that Roy's not with us again."

People might have been excused for doing so before the all-important World Cup play-off with Iran in November as inspirational skipper Keane missed out with a knee injury.

But Holland and central midfield partner Mark Kinsella kept their heads in front of the 120,000 screaming Iranians packed into the Azadi Stadium.

Holland's personal drive was borne of painful memories of past failures and hardships, combined with a well-honed desire to improve.

A UEFA Cup debut season under the belt and a place in Japan and Korea this summer belies the background of a man who has dragged his chin off the floor several times.

It is hardly surprising to learn that a player who took part in some 221 consecutive club matches before manager George Burley chose to give him a well-earned if unwanted rest, has an unerring determination.

Neither is it a shock to hear that Keane has been something of a guiding light in recent seasons.

Holland, whose progress from Arsenal schoolboy reject to Irish international via a snubbing at West Ham typifies an Ipswich approach to recycling discarded goods which would shame the Wombles, confesses that the odd sour memory is making life all the sweeter now.

"Since I was three or four watching my dad playing football, I've wanted to be a footballer. Now that I'm here, these are the times to enjoy because there have been - and still are - plenty of bad times in football.

"As a boy, being rejected by Arsenal and thinking I wasn't going to make it was hard to take.

"Then, when I went to West Ham, not making it into the first team was a big disappointment because I had to step down a level to get a game.

"But the really bad times came at Bournemouth when we weren't even getting paid at one point.

"We went three or four months without wages and, with a mortgage to pay and children to look after, it was difficult.

"I look back now and wonder how we managed. It was really hard just to keep going with no money coming in. But you have to accept there will be hard times in football, knuckle down and hope you will be rewarded."

Holland's reward came with an £800,000 move to Ipswich in the summer of 1997, and although it took a while to reach the Premiership through the play-offs, the rise coincided with international recognition for his efforts.

"Now I'm captain of a Premiership team, have been playing in the UEFA Cup and there is the World Cup at the end of the season.

"You've got to keep setting targets and that's why we're lucky to have George Burley as our manager as a reminder.

"When he was a player, Ipswich got into Europe nine times out of 10 seasons. That was some achievement and it's something we'd like to emulate," said Holland.

"Our determination and ambition stretch a long way beyond just doing it for one season and being happy with our little adventure. We have got to do it year on year."

Keane, something of a mentor mentally for Holland, is accustomed to constant success.

"I learn so much just from speaking to Roy Keane when I'm on international duty," he said.

"The drive he has is incredible. I watch him, even in five-a-sides, and he's so determined to win everything.

"He's a wonderful player with a lot of great attributes and it is definitely easier playing with him than against him."

All things being equal, Holland will be alongside him this summer.