Republic can be revived just like NI, vows Kenny
UNDER-FIRE Stephen Kenny insists the Republic of Ireland can prosper under his management —just as northern ireland did with Michael O’neill at the helm despite an early defeat to minnows Luxembourg.
Former Derry City chief Kenny finds himself under pressure after less than a year in the job having won none of his first 10 games in charge, a run which culminated in Saturday’s embarrassing 1-0 World Cup qualifying defeat by the Grand Duchy at the Aviva Stadium.
However, he remains convinced that, like predecessor Mick Mccarthy and O’neill, who had a similar experience after taking charge of neighbours Northern Ireland, his team can be a serious threat.
He said: “We can look at other teams over the years, in recent history. It was pointed out to me that Mick Mccarthy’s team, which got to the World Cup, didn’ t win in their first seven or something, and they had some brilliant players at the time.
“It was pointed out that Michael O’neill’s Northern Ireland had a long unsuccessful run, and lost to Luxembourg as well in 2013, and that was a turning point.
“I want to build a team that really exhilarates Irish football people, and that’s it, nothing more than that. We want to be much better. We hit a low the other day getting beaten by Luxembourg. we’ ve got to take that onthechin.
“Some of our play has been nothing short of brilliant against Slovakia and Serbia and we’ll continue to build on that and get better again. That’s the way I feel it now.”