Stephen Kenny’s launched an impassioned defense of his position as Republic of Ireland manager.
He’s without a win in ten games going into tonight’s friendly with Qatar in the Hungarian city of Debrecen.
Kenny’s come under intense criticism following Saturday’s defeat to Luxembourg, some of which he says is warranted.
But he’s adamant he wants to build a Republic of Ireland team to exhilarate the public.
Kenny’s promised changes for tonight’s game, with Enda Stevens and Matt Doherty, already ruled out.
The kick-off is at 7.45 pm.
In the Republic of Ireland’s World Cup qualifying group this evening, Luxembourg plays Portugal at 7.45 and it’s Serbia away to Azerbaijan from 5 pm.
Elsewhere, Wales takes on the Czech Republic from 7.45pm.
Preview
Ireland has suffered two defeats going into the fixture, against Serbia and Luxembourg, as they look to end the March international window on a high.
Defenders Matt Doherty and Enda Stevens didn’t travel to Hungary due to injury.
The squad who have traveled are all fully fit with manager Stephen Kenny set to make changes to the team that lost against Luxembourg.
At the press conference, Stephen Kenny said:
“We have other options in the squad. Cyrus Christie, Ryan Manning, of course, and James McClean who is just back from injury and came on in the last two games. So we do have other options.
“We played 3-4-1-2 against Serbia and thought it worked brilliantly. I thought it was one of the best displays by an Irish team away from home in recent years and we played very well, lost a narrow game. We made one or two mistakes and got punished at the end which I was disappointed with but I thought the overall display was excellent.
“(On Luxembourg) We had the lion’s share but admittedly we shouldn’t be losing it. It’s a home game against Luxembourg and we are expected to win. We didn’t deserve to lose but we must do better.”
Watch the full MD-1 Press Conference with Stephen Kenny here.
Republic of Ireland Squad – Qatar Friendly
Goalkeepers: Mark Travers (AFC Bournemouth), Gavin Bazunu (Rochdale, on loan from Manchester City), Kieran O’Hara (Burton Albion).
Defenders: Seamus Coleman (Everton), Shane Duffy (Celtic, on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion), Ciaran Clark (Newcastle United), Dara O’Shea (West Bromwich Albion), Ryan Manning (Swansea City), Cyrus Christie (Nottingham Forest), Darragh Lenihan (Blackburn Rovers).
Midfielders: Alan Browne (Preston North End), Jeff Hendrick (Newcastle United), Jayson Molumby (Preston North End, on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion), Jason Knight (Derby County), Josh Cullen (Anderlecht), Conor Coventry (West Ham United).
Wingers: Robbie Brady (Burnley), James McClean (Stoke City), Daryl Horgan (Wycombe Wanderers), Ronan Curtis (Portsmouth).
Strikers: Callum Robinson (West Bromwich Albion), Shane Long (AFC Bournemouth, on loan from Southampton), James Collins (Luton Town), Troy Parrott (Ipswich Town, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur).
