Gibson off to the Euros

Everton will definitely be represented at Euro 2012 this summer after Darron Gibson was named in the Republic of Ireland squad.

Giovanni Trapattoni has become one of the first managers to confirm their 23-man squad, but with a few weeks to go until they travel to the tournament, the Italian manager has also named five players who will remain on stand-by and that list also includes Seamus Coleman.

Following the announcement, the news was obviously a hot topic on the Vital Everton forum.

EvertonMike wrote: Gibson in the squad, Coleman on the standby list and Duffy not involved at all.

No real surprises but I expect Coleman will be disappointed as if it was 12 months ago he'd be in the squad, but after the season he's had was always unlikely he'd go. Similarly Duffy if Jagielka and Distin had stayed injured the rest of the season and he'd got a longer run of games, I think he'd be going.

Good for Gibson (and shows his current injury can't be too serious), I'm sure he has a better chance of playing now he's a regular for us and only has garbage like Andrews and Whelan as competition really.

Bez the blue added: Duffy looked great when he stepped in to our first team in January, he will definitely have an international future, we all know Gibson can perform on the top stage and Coleman just needs more time to come good.

The Republic of Ireland's opening fixture could be of huge interest to Evertonians as it puts them up against Nikica Jelavic's Croatia and with the striker in sensation form this season for both ourselves and Rangers, he has to be on the plane for them!

Elsewhere and Holland have named a preliminary 35-man squad, which includes John Heitinga.

Vital Everton is 100% interactive. Not only can you have your say on the articles and the forums but you can also write an article to be published on the website or a suggest a poll so you can air your views.

Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.