The upcoming international window will be a strange one for the Republic of Ireland. Not only will the friendlies against Hungary and Portugal have very little on the line, but the team is still in limbo as they await the appointment of the next permanent manager.
John O’Shea will be the interim boss for the second successive window, having drawn one game and loss the other during his time in charge back in March.
He named his squad for the two games earlier this week, with a number of Ireland regulars unavailable. The likes of Evan Ferguson, Nathan Collins, and Gavin Bazunu are all absent due to injury.
With that in mind, here is the Ireland team we would select to face Hungary at the Aviva Stadium on Tuesday evening.
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The Ireland team we want to see against Hungary
Formation: 4-2-3-1
John O’Shea persisted with the three-man defence so often used by Stephen Kenny during the March window, but once again, it just didn’t work.
A switch to 4-2-3-1 should offer a bit more attacking threat without giving up too much at the other end of the pitch.
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GK: CaoimhÃn Kelleher
CaoimhÃn Kelleher had a good chance at being Ireland’s no.1 for this window in any case, but he looks all but guaranteed to start both games on the back of the injury suffered by Gavin Bazunu.
The Cork man had an excellent season at Liverpool, making 26 appearances for the club in all competitions. Having already hinted at a move elsewhere this summer, he will be looking to nail down this starting spot in the Irish XI moving forward.
RB: Seamus Coleman
Seamus Coleman put in some impressive performances after his return to the Everton squad at the turn of the year, making 12 Premier League appearances as the club comfortably avoided relegation despite their points deductions.
It would have been understandable if the right back wanted to take this window off considering his age and injury issues, but his commitment to Ireland has always been unwavering.
CB: Jake O’Brien
Jake O’Brien was called up by John O’Shea for the March window, although he would not feature in either game. His form at Lyon has only gone from strength to strength since then, with the 23-year old deserving the chance to make his debut against Hungary.
O’Brien has been one of the feel-good stories of the season from an Irish perspective, going from a relative unknown to a star performer in Ligue 1.
CB: Dara O’Shea
Despite Burnley’s struggles, it was a decent season for Dara O’Shea in his return to the Premier League. The Dubliner made 33 starts in the English top flight, producing some impressive defensive numbers and scoring goals against the likes of Liverpool and Chelsea along the way.
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He is really coming into his own after his injury issues in years gone by and looks set to be an important player for Ireland over the coming years.
LB: Liam Scales
Along with O’Brien, Liam Scales was the other feel-good story among Irish footballers in recent months. He played a starring role for Celtic as the claimed a domestic double, also impressing in the Champions League.
We normally see him at centre back, but considering his versatility and lack of options at left back in the squad, he is more than capable of doing a job in this position.
CM: Josh Cullen
Josh Cullen tied the knot with his long-term girlfriend in recent days, meaning he has been late reporting for this international camp. Still, you get the sense that O’Shea would have no issue with throwing him straight into the starting XI.
Cullen is the only natural holding midfielder in the Ireland squad and is a hugely important player for the team.
CM: Will Smallbone
Will Smallbone played a huge role in Southampton’s promotion to the Premier League this season. Not only would he make 50 appearances in all competitions, but he would also provide the winning assist in their play-off final victory over Leeds United.
While previously a more advanced player, he has impressed in a deeper role at club level in recent times.
RM: Jason Knight
Jason Knight is capable of playing in a number of positions, although he would be a good fit on the right flank in this formation. His ability to drift infield would suit what would be a fairly fluid front three behind the main striker.
The Dubliner played in all 46 of Bristol city’s Championship games during his debut season at the club.
CF: Sammie Szmodics
Having played out wide during his first two Ireland caps, it would be interesting to see what Sammie Szmodics could do from a more central position in this game.
The Blackburn Rovers man starred in such a role this season, scoring 33 goals in all competitions. He was arguably the best performer in the squad during the March window and should be allowed to thrive in his more natural position this month.
LM: Mikey Johnston
While Mikey Johnston could not quite maintain the level of form he showed at the start of his loan spell at West Brom, but he still managed seven goals and two assists for the club after arriving in January.
He has usually impressed when given the opportunity to play for Ireland.
ST: Adam Idah
Adam Idah’s loan spell at Celtic ended in dream fashion, with the striker scoring the winning goal in the Scottish Cup final against Rangers to go along with his league winner’s medal.
He impressed throughout his time in Glasgow, scoring nine goals and registering two assists.
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The Team In FullÂ
This would be a change from the 3-4-3 formation John O’Shea used in the March window, although it’s fair to say that the team did not light the world alight with similar systems over the last couple of years.
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