Alan Browne: 'It seems like we're in a good place now'

Alan Browne of Republic of Ireland in action against Thomas Delaney of Denmark

Alan Browne of Republic of Ireland in action against Thomas Delaney of Denmark Credit: Michael P Ryan (ETPhotos)

Seán O’Connor reporting from FAI HQ in Abbottstown.

After finishing 2021 unbeaten in their last six games, Stephen Kenny’s new-look Ireland team was always going to click eventually, according to midfielder Alan Browne.

Browne was speaking to the media in Abbottstown ahead of Ireland’s friendly against world number one side Belgium on Saturday night. The 26-year-old featured in each of Mick McCarthy’s final six games in charge of Ireland but has had a stop-start time under Kenny due to injury & Covid-19 issues.

“It was a case of it was always coming,” said Browne, reflecting on Ireland’s results under Kenny.

“It’s tough for a new manager to come in with new ideas. It takes time to turn things around. Our performances were relatively good at first, we just weren’t picking up the results and that’s what the focus was on.”

“We probably lacked that final cutting edge at the beginning. You could see it all coming together piece by piece. It seems like we're in a good place now and we are getting the results to match the performances.”

With the likes of Jamie McGrath and Aaron Connolly excluded the squad last week, Kenny has sent out a clear message that no place is guaranteed. Fellow Ireland midfielder Conor Hourihane has featured regularly for promotion-chasing Sheffield United this season and agreed that club form is vital to earn an international call up.

“It keeps everyone on their toes,” Hourihane said.

“You need to be playing as much as you can, playing well consistently and get a bit of luck staying away from injuries. There's lots of factors to it. It gives everyone a reminder that you have to be doing it at your club to get into the squad. ”

This month, Kenny referenced Belgium midfielder Kevin De Bruyne as the inspiration for new crosses his side Ireland have been busy perfecting. The Manchester City star won’t be at the Aviva on Saturday, as will no other players with over 50 caps. Hourihane’s assist for Troy Parrott’s second against Andorra last summer was a prime example of the “De Bruyne cross,” although the Cork-man remains humble.



“For the Andorra game there was a plan for the crosses,'' Hourihane said.

“It was something we worked on on the training ground. When it comes off in a game it's very satisfying. You take the instruction off the manager and take it into the game, so it was great to see one of them come off. It wasn't bad, but I think there's a bit of a difference between me and Kevin De Bruyne to be honest.”

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