A COLL TO ARMS
IN David Mcgoldrick’s absence, Mick Mccarthy has four strikers vying to lead the line in Georgia today but the spotlight shines on two with just one cap between them.
With Callum Robinson and James Mcclean expected to start on the right and left of a front three respectively, all eyes will be on who plays the lone role in attack.
And while Scott Hogan and Sean Maguire have claims of their own, the Luton Town striker James Collins could yet be the big winner.
Indeed, Mccarthty emphatically dismissed any concerns about pitching a player with just 30 minutes of international football – in a friendly – into the melting pot.
Brighton starlet Aaron Connolly (right), 19, is the talking horse of this particular race following his elevation to senior ranks from the Under-21s.
And on the back of his two-goal heroics against Tottenham last Saturday, Mccarthy must decide whether to strike while the iron is hot and hand him a first cap.
There is no doubt the Galway livewire will bring something to the party and has game-changer written all over him.
But the smart money is on him being held in reserve with Collins tasked with the lone role having made a scoring impression on debut off the bench against Bulgaria.
Mccarthy said last night: “It’s interesting how I’m sure people are pushing for Aaron Connolly to make a start.
“He hasn’t had any international football at all and hasn’t been in the squad up until now.
“Why would I not (trust Collins to play despite his lone cap)? Because I trust the players when they come in. I trust them for what they do and how they go in training.
“It’s not only just seeing him in the half an hour of international football where I thought he was