We’re working hard to improve in every aspect, declares Kenny
Just two games into the new qualifying campaign, the Republic are up against it following defeatsby serbia and luxembourg, and while they did indeed play well in parts in Belgrade, they emerged empty-handed.
Former international Tony Cascarino accused Kenny, who will send his team into friendly battle with World Cup hosts Qatar in Hungary tonight, of “tactical ignorance” in his column in The Times as he assessed his efforts to introduce a more exciting brand of football.
Kenny hit back: “Tactically ignorant? I don’t think that would be the case. I wouldn’t agree with that.”
For all the criticism which has come his way, Kenny remains committed to the cause and retains the backing of his employers, with Football Association of Ireland chairman Roy Barrett having leapt to his defence.
The manager said: “Roy Barrett and the Board have been supportive to everything we are doing and I have not sensed any change in that regard at all, so that’s all appreciated.
“As well as working hard behind the scenes, we have to work hard to get better and I think there are areas that we have to improve in for sure.”
Meanwhile, Kenny has highlighted the issue of human rights in Qatar ahead of tonight’s friendly against the World Cup hosts. His comments come after players from Germany, Norway and the Netherlands wore T-shirts voicing their collective concern ahead of qualifiers in the last week after a recent study claimed 6,500 migrant workers had died in the 10 years since the nation was awarded the finals.
Asked ahead of this evening’s game if his players would follow suit, Kenny said he had not discussed it with them, but added: “I’m all about freedom of speech. Any individual has the right to express their opinion, I have no problem with that.
“There is a clear issue with human rights in the building of stadiums in Qatar and the number of people who have died. You can’t sweep that under the carpet, it can’t be ignored.
“It’s not acceptable for so many people to lose their lives. The disparity of wealth between rich and poor, to have people living in conditions of squalor and have people dying in those conditions is not acceptable.”
I’d dived left or right there’d be no talking about it, but because I stood in the middle, it is what it is.
“After playing on Sunday, I hope I’ve put myself at the forefront of the manager’s mind. It’s a top level of goalkeepers now with Northern Ireland. I just do my best and prove to the manager that I can be put in.
“Bailey has played the previous game and done well, so you know he is going to have the first opportunity to play.” ◊ DERRY City goalkeeper Nathan Gartside did not travel to Italy last week because of an administrative error.
It is understood that the player’s medication for a pre-existing heart condition wasn’t declared to Uefa in time, meaning he was unavailable for Northern Ireland’s triple header. Gartside, called into the squad due to injuries to Michael Mcgovern and Trevor Carson, left the camp before the game with the USA.