UEFA Nations League Group B1: Republic of Ireland v Scotland (Aviva Stadium, Dublin, 5pm)
UNDER-FIRE Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny has declared that he is “absolutely” the man for the job as pressure builds on the Dubliner following back-to-back Nations League defeats to Armenia and Ukraine over the last week.
Kenny will hope his Ireland side experience an upturn in fortunes ahead of this evening’s showdown with Celtic neighbours Scotland and has promised personnel changes.
First choice defenders Seamus Coleman (groin) and John Egan (ankle) have been ruled out of today’s third Nations League game and indeed next Tuesday’s trip to Poland to face Ukraine.
At yesterday’s press conference, where Kenny defended his record, the manager intimated changes to his midfield, based on the need for freshness rather than poor form, while the Scots are buoyed after their World Cup play-off loss to Ukraine by winning their Nations League opener at home to Armenia on Wednesday night.
When one reporter mentioned to the Ireland manager that he was throwing out stats, Kenny interjected: “I haven't thrown out any stats…”
In a follow-up question, the reporter asked did he feel he was still the right man for the job, Kenny replied: “Yeah, I do absolutely - without a shadow of a doubt.
“I've just a signed a new contract and I'm committed here until after the Euros. We've just lost two very, very narrow games that we are disappointed to lose. We are getting ready for the game tomorrow, and we're just fully focused on the game.
“We've got an awful lot of potential in this squad, an awful lot of potential, and we are looking to grow and get better and improve.”
Prior to the two 1-0 defeats to Armenia and Ukraine, Ireland were on an eight-match unbeaten run and it was felt the side had turned the corner under Kenny.
But the lack of a cutting edge in both losses is a worry.
Kenny could give starts to James McClean, Alan Brown and possibly Conor Hourihane with Dara O’Shea expected to continue in the absence of Egan.
Scotland manager Steve Clarke has lost Zander Clark and Liam Cooper from his squad as both are due to get married but he’s expected to retain new boy Anthony Ralston in his starting line-up, the Celtic man scoring on his international debut against Armenia.
