O’Neill’s hopefuls can try their luck
MARTIN O’NEILL will hand some of his Republic of Ireland hopefuls a chance to prove they belong at international level against Iceland.
The sides meet in a friendly at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium tonight with most of O’Neill’s first-choice XI either injured – in the case of skipper Seamus Coleman, seriously – or having been sent back to their respective clubs.
Robbie Brady, who was suspended for Friday’s goalless World Cup tie against Wales, when Coleman suffered a double leg fracture, will skipper a side that will have a very different look about it.
Preston duo Andy Boyle and Daryl Horgan, Brentford defender John Egan, Derby’s Alex Pearce, Bristol City midfielder Callum O’Dowda, Leeds’ Eunan O’Kane, Aberdeen’s Jonny Hayes and Conor Hourihane of Aston Villa are among those who could benefit.
O’Neill said: “You don’t want to give out caps just because they
are there, you want them to earn it. But for experience, you would want that.
“Some players who have just come into the squad – like the two lads at Preston – have acquitted themselves very well in training and they are basically just starting out on their international careers.
“Some players who’ve been around the squad but haven’t played regularly may well play as well and whatever time they have on the pitch, it’s a chance to try to impress.
“In fairness to clubs, some of the lads who played on Friday night who are still with us certainly won’t start in the game and might not participate at all.”
The game will bring together two sides who impressed at Euro 2016, with Iceland going a stage further than Ireland by reaching the quarter-finals thanks to their victory over England.
O’Neill said: “Iceland were brilliant at the Euros, they won on Friday night and they will present us with a few problems.”