Callum Robinson: ‘We have played some good football but we are missing that final part’

Since Shane Duffy grabbed the late equaliser in Sofia against Bulgaria back in September in Stephen Kenny’s first game in charge, the Boys in Green have failed to score in the subsequent seven matches. 

There have been some signs of progress but injuries and COVID-19 have hit the Republic of Ireland hard.

However, the benchmark for the Boys in Green was set by the standard of football played during the EURO2020 play-off away to Slovakia according to Ireland striker Callum Robinson. 

“You start panicking if you aren’t getting the chances but we are getting good chances,” said Robinson when he spoke to the media on the day the Ireland squad gathered in their Manchester base ahead of the Serbia (away) and Luxembourg (home) games this week.

“Nobody should be down about the lack of goals. We did well against Slovakia. We were unluckily to lose on penalties. We created chances and broke them down. I don’t think many supporters had seen football like that from us in a long time. We are going in the right direction. 

“I felt comfortable in that game throughout. In that game and in the ones before (against Bulgaria and Finland) we have played some good football but we are missing that final part and that is getting the ball in the back of the net.”

Subsequent matches have seen the squad decimated by withdrawals due to injury and COVID-19 and the West Brom player acknowledged how difficult the situation has been for the new manager.

“Players missed the last few games due to COVID reasons which is annoying. That’s been hard for the gaffer. The team is changing all the time because of the COVID stuff and we can’t help it.

"When you have 14 or 15 players out from the squad you first picked by the last game, it is tough. I’ve been unlucky with all the COVID stuff. I’m looking forward to this trip and getting back training with the lads.

“We want to be winning. I’ve had to sit out the last few games which is disappointing. The lads are playing a different style of football now. It is good to see and I want to be a part of it. "

"The gaffer knows what I can do for him and help the team progress and get ourselves to the World Cup.

“Any kid growing up knows that the pinnacle of anyone’s career is to play in the World Cup and do well in it. I’m in a good position where I can be part of a journey to get there."

Hopefully I can help the boys get those goals and help in that forward area. Going to a World Cup and being a part of that is the aim of all the players and staff.”

Alan Browne: 'We have a chance to put things right and try and qualify for the World Cup and give people at home a bit of hope and something to cheer about in these tough times'https://t.co/yLDS4tMDlMpic.twitter.com/Mhxr382sSK

— Extratime.com (@ExtratimeNews) March 21, 2021