RICKY Shakes’ international story has yet to be written but Iffy Onuora sees no reason why it shouldn’t have a happier ending than his own.
Trinidad and Tobago boss Leo Beenhakker has already cast his eye over the Town youngster ahead of the World Cup new boys’ friendly in London next month.
Onuora is not in the business of telling other managers what to do and who to select but sees ‘no reason’ why Shakes, pictured right, shouldn’t come into contention.
Beenhakker’s men will take on Iceland at Loftus Road on Tuesday February 28 as they begin the build up to the finals in Germany.
Shakes has already stated he’d love to be involved and if he continues to display the kind of form he has showed over the last month then Onuora won’t be too surprised if the international call comes.
He said: “In fairness I don’t know what other options the manager has in Ricky’s position. It isn’t for me to choose his team.
“He didn’t have his best game against Gillingham but if he can keep producing then there’s no reason why he shouldn’t figure.
“He’s a good lad, still has a lot of learning to do but the great thing is that he wants to learn.”
Shakes at present stands on the brink of international honours, desperate for the call and Onuora knows all about that.
Glasgow-born, Onuora came tantalisingly close to Scotland honours but never quite pulled on the famous dark blue of his country.
He said: “Craig Brown came to watch me a few times in my playing days but I never actually got the call up.
“Funnily enough, I spoke to him much later and he told me that he wished he had done.”
As for Shakes, he has already made it clear that a World Cup call-up would be a tremendous boost although his priority is firmly at club level.