Journey into the unknown awaits new Ireland manager and his players

BEFORE he named his first Republic of Ireland senior squad on Monday, Stephen Kenny called those who’d missed out on selection.

‘I gave the bad news, not the good news,’ he explained when asked why he hadn’t contacted uncapped Jayson Molumby or Adam Idah, for example.

Asked if they were tough calls, he gave a glimpse of the steel below the soft surface. ‘Not tough for me, no,’ he said.

Come Thursday in Sofia, Kenny will deliver good news for the XI players who will start his reign as manager. The Nations League opener against Bulgaria is Ireland’s first game in 10 months and a step into the unknown – for both manager and players.

Usually by now, there would have been two or three games played in the Premier League and Championship to allow Kenny to assess form. From the players’ side, only a handful of Under 21s have worked under Kenny before.

They would probably prefer a friendly or two to get to know him and his methods better.

Kenny has a short run-in to the game and won’t be hanging around. ‘The main thing for me is how we’re going to play, to imprint that idea from Sunday to Thursday.

‘Basically, we’ve got two sessions on Monday and Tuesday. We get an hour in the stadium on Wednesday when you can’t really work on anything.’

‘We’ve clearly picked players in positions – defenders, midfielders and attackers. There’s no grey areas there, it’s all pretty clear.’

Darren Randolph is the No 1 goalkeeper although he’s hardly played in 2020.

‘There’s no doubt not playing would take the edge off you, but I’m hoping that Darren, knowing that the two major tournaments are in the next two years and knowing it could be a significant part of his footballing life, it will motivate him to be in impeccable condition, as he always is, and to play the best he can.’

Kenny’s back four is in place with Seamus Coleman, the captain, holding off Matt Doherty, to stay alongside Shane Duffy, John Egan and Enda Stevens. There could well be a role for Doherty on the right of midfield, where he plays for Wolves in a 3-4-3, while James McCarthy will return as the central figure in the engine room.

Aaron Connolly is pressing to start on the left flank, and the absence of David McGoldrick could see a debut for Idah as Kenny likes a mobile striker who can play with his back to goal.

As a creative hub, Robbie Brady has every incentive to burst a gut in front of Kenny today and tomorrow.

Bulgaria hasn’t always been a happy hunting ground for Ireland over the years, although it was for Scotland in November 1987, which opened up the gateway to Euro 88.

In 1977, 1979 and 1987, Ireland lost narrowly, twice in highly controversial circumstances, before Giovanni Trapattoni oversaw a 1-1 draw in June 2009. When the teams

last met, a friendly in Dublin a year ago, Ireland won 3-1.

What Kenny would give for a similar scoreline on Thursday.

As to what lies ahead, no one knows but the boss is surfing a wave of goodwill, as all new Ireland managers do.

‘It’s a journey that is there for us all,’ he said.

‘And I think when you’ve got some quality you’ve got to maximise it, you’ve got to get the best out of ourselves.

‘If things go well, it would be an incredible period in all of the players’ lives.’

And Kenny’s, too.