Hockey India have initiated a process to find a goalkeeping coach for the side for the Asia Cup.
Tirkey said it will benefit Indian hockey if services of a defence coach are also sought for the preparations.
"Defence is very important in modern hockey and I have seen lapses in past few tournaments. Defenders and mid-fielders should work hard on it. Defending is not as easy as it appears," Tirkey told PTI Bhasha.
He also said that an Indian can be chosen for the job as there are many former players who were great defenders.
"I don't think that we need a foreign coach for this. We have former players like Pargat Singh who had great defending skills," he said.