‘We haven’t had a proven goalscorer since Robbie’

MARTIN O’NEILL is praying for a striker to emerge from the shadows and show the Republic of Ireland the way forward in front of goal in time for the UEFA Nations League and Euro 2020 campaign. The on-going absence of a fox-in-the-box predator has become ‘a massive problem’ for O’Neill, whose team managed 13 goals from 12 World Cup 2018 qualifiers. ‘It is a problem and it becomes a massive problem because all the good sides have boys who can score goals,’ lamented O’Neill yesterday. ‘I don’t know what it is, maybe it’s something we eat or don’t [eat], but we haven’t had it [a proven forward] for a long time, not since Robbie Keane.’ Of the seven forwards O’Neill named for the games against Celtic (May 20), France (May 28) and the USA (June 2), three are uncapped and only the returning Jon Walters and Shane Long have hit the net. ‘We don’t have anybody here that you would think at this minute would be almost semiguaranteed to get you a goal in important situations,’ he added. Aston Villa striker Scott Hogan, who made his debut against Turkey in March, ‘is lacking a bit of confidence, I think’ said O’Neill. ‘I think he thought he was going to have a big, big season with Villa but it didn’t happen. I like him around the box. He can do better,’ he said. Of Preston’s Sean Maguire, O’Neill offered a stronger end of term report. ‘I think young Maguire can take people on and does have an eye for goal. Around the penalty area he’s quite dangerous.’ Graham Burke of Shamrock Rovers has become the fourth Airtricity League player to figure under O’Neill although it remains to be seen if the 24-year-old makes the cut for the games against France and the USA. Callum Robinson of Preston will only be involved against Celtic as his clearance papers haven’t come through yet.