McClean feels RoI showed ‘positive signs’ against Qatar
manager spoke, as a group, we got ourselves together and we said, ‘Look, we have to live with that and we are the ones going forward that need to change that’.
“I thought (on Tuesday night) in large parts, we were very good. I think you can see what we’re trying to do. It was a very poor goal from us to concede, and they’re the things we need to cut out to be an even better team.
“But (against Qatar), there were positive signs. I think Serbia, there were positive signs as well, so we just need that first one. I think when we get that first one, hopefully that will kick-start it and the rest of the wins will follow.”
Kenny fielded a muchchanged team in Hungary with experienced campaigners McClean, Shane Duffy and Robbie Brady, none of whom had started either of the qualifiers, among the beneficiaries.
He got his reward within four minutes when Daryl Horgan worked a short corner move with Brady and crossed for McClean, winning his 80th cap, to sweep a first-time shot past keeper Saad Al Sheeb with the help of a deflection off defender Pedro.
Ultimately, however, the winger’s first international strike since his winner in Wales in October 2017 was enough only to claim a draw after Mohamed Muntari took advantage of passive defending to level two minutes into the second half.
Goals have been at a premium for the Republic for some time – McClean’s effort was just their fourth in
Kenny’s 11 games to date – and he is hopeful that he will not have to wait as long to add to his tally of 11.
He said: “My last goal was the goal in Wales, so it’s been a bit of a while coming, but I think I’ve proven over the years that I can score goals for Ireland.
“Hopefully now that’s a little kick-start for me going forward to add a few more.
"The more players chipping in with goals, the better it is for the team, so hopefully that’s the first of a nice little spell.”