THERE HAS TO BE SOME SIGN OF PROGRESS
CHANCE TO JOIN EUROPE’S TOP TIER PROVES
ANOTHER final group game for Ireland with nothing to play for.
Such finales have become a dispiriting feature of the side’s status in recent times.
In the World Cup qualifying campaign, Ireland’s opening losses to Serbia and Luxembourg meant that the bid to get to Qatar was over after four days.
Last June, the Armenians allowed the Irish to run themselves into the ground in 35 degrees to emerge with a 1-0 win.
So Joaquin Caparros’ side can claim to be as good as their opponents this evening, even if Stephen Kenny’s men enjoy a one-point lead in the Group B1 table.
Avoiding defeat will mean the Irish again ply their trade at this level when the next competition takes place in the autumn of 2024.
Whether Kenny is still in charge then is another thing. Lose tonight and the FAI board will move swiftly to install a replacement.
The Armenians were hammered 5-0 at home on Saturday by a second string Ukraine side and their four consecutive defeats have led for calls for Caparros’ immediate exit.
Consistent
Kenny’s side have turned up impressively in their last three games — their most consistent period since the 50-year-old took charge.
But for all the talk of fostering a bright, young side that likes to pass its way to success, many of their best moments in the loss to Scotland came from counterattacks or when the ball was moved swiftly up the pitch.
Even John Egan’s clinical finish came from the second phase of play from a corner.
There’s nothing wrong with being direct in your play.
Ireland seem to have abandoned the need for the keeper to use short kick-outs on every occasion and Kenny’s ploy to be flexible in this regard did catch the Scots on the hop in the first half at Hampden Park.
The team is now more settled and while Josh Cullen’s loss in midfield is
Best
No wonder the Leicester-born Southampton striker rates his decision to pledge allegiance to the nation of his grandmother as one of his best.
Adams reckons tonight’s chance to be promoted into the top tier of the Nations League proves he made the right call.
He’s adamant being involved in Steve Clarke’s side has made him a better player and that the squad deserve to have a place among the continent’s best.
A draw against Ukraine in Krakow will be good enough to secure that spot in Group A and he said: “It’s a fantastic prospect to be among the elite.
“The team has got so much better in the last 18 months or so. We deserve to be there playing against big teams.
Pledging
“Pledging myself to Scotland is one of the best decisions of my career. You can see it from the way I’m playing. I am playing like it’s my last game.
“The past 18 months I’ve developed as a player and a person. That comes from the gaffer and the belief and faith he puts in me. All I can do is try to repay him.”
Rocketing through the promotions from the third tier to the top in just four years and three campaigns would be cherished like a major honour by the success-starved Tartan Army.
Doing so while passing England on the way down would