Stephen Kenny: ‘It is quite exciting to have France coming here. We are capable of putting in a strong performance against anyone.’

Stephen Kenny pictured at the Aviva Stadium as he announced his squad for the upcoming Latvia and France home games

Stephen Kenny pictured at the Aviva Stadium as he announced his squad for the upcoming Latvia and France home games Credit: Conor Ryan (ETPhotos)

Rónán MacNamara reports from the Aviva Stadium

The Republic of Ireland open their UEFA EURO 2024 Qualifying campaign at home to France and manager Stephen Kenny views the game as a massive opportunity for his side to spring a surprise.

The Boys in Green have been drawn in a very tough group alongside the 2018 World Cup winners and 2022 runners up, the Netherlands, Greece and Gibraltar as they bid to reach a first major tournament since EURO 2016.

Kenny’s charges have shown in performances against Portugal, Serbia and Belgium – three draws at the Aviva – that they can raise their game for the big occasion, and the Ireiand boss feels his side are in a position to do so again.

French connection

“It’s quite exciting,” said Kenny on Thursday when he announced his squad in the Aviva Stadium. “When we had the draw initially we understood the magnitude of France, Holland, Greece and Gilbralter in the group and the difficulty of that.

“It also provides an opportunity which is quite exciting to have France coming here. They have been the best team over a period now since they won the World Cup in 2018 and lost the final on penalties to miss out on back-to-back World Cups.

“They’ve been a phenomenal team. With them coming to Dublin we see it as a massive opportunity, we have been building our own team over the last two years and we are excited by that.

“Not many neutrals would give us a chance against France because of their pedigree and what they achieved, we’re fine with that but we are capable of putting in a strong performance against anyone and we have shown that.”

Kenny addressed the media after announcing his 26-man squad for the Latvia friendly and European Championship qualifier against France this month.



International clearance

Mikey Johnston, who received his international clearance for Ireland this month, receives his first international call-up for Ireland whilst there are returns to the squad for Norwich City duo Andrew Omobamidele and Adam Idah.

Johnston burst onto the scene as a youngster at Celtic but has found first-team opportunities limited under Hoops boss Ange Postecoglu since returning from a year out injured. A loan move to Vitora Guimaraes where he has made 16 league appearances in Portugual this season put him on Kenny’s radar.

“Mikey is someone we have been aware of for a long time. He broke on the scene for Celtic and played in four cup finals before he was 22. He was injured for a year and it was tough for him. A young player like that, you lose your rhythm. Celtic signed so many players while he was injured and they bypassed him.

“To go to Portugal was a brave step, a tough league with a lot of teams challenging for a European place. It’s a different culture where he’s played 21 games between starts and off the bench. He has different characteristics that will add to the squad.”



Derby County midfielder Jason Knight also returns to the squad having been ruled out of the November window, as well as Wigan Athletic striker Will Keane who also pulled out of the final matches of 2022 through injury.

Meanwhile there are no places for long serving players Shane Duffy, Conor Hourihane and Robbie Brady while Swansea City’s Ryan Manning has been left out despite his impressive form in the EFL Championship.

Left options

Kenny believes that the squad is well supplemented with options at left wing back, emphasising the form of Cardiff City’s Callum O’Dowda.

“We have several players in that position, it’s very tight with a lot of good players playing in the Championship. With Callum O’Dowda’s form, he has been Cardiff’s player of the year this year in my opinion, he offers us something different; he’s quick, dribbles at pace and is very direct.

“Ryan is an excellent player who offers different qualities, he is a really good footballer.

“Robbie [Brady] had a good spell earlier in the season and I thought he was absolutely excellent and I was full of admiration for how he has been playing, Preston have a lot of players and these are the fine margins.”

Norwich City’s Adam Idah has proven an injury casualty for much of Kenny’s reign over the last 12 months and he worryingly left Carrow Road on crutches on Wednesday night having been substituted at half time, but the Cork native was keen to be included in the international setup.

“It’s too early to say. He got a foot injury and had to leave the ground on crutches and he will have a scan tomorrow (Friday). He asked not to be ruled out so we will have to wait and see how he is.”

Republic of Ireland squad

Goalkeepers: Gavin Bazunu, Caoimhin Kelleher, Mark Travers

Defenders: Seamus Coleman, Matt Doherty, Andrew Omobamidele, Nathan Collins, John Egan, Dara O'Shea, Callum O'Dowda, James McClean

Midfielders:  Josh Cullen, Jayson Molumby, Jeff Hendrick, Alan Browne, Jason Knight, Will Smallbone, Jamie McGrath, Mark Sykes

Forwards: Chiedozie Ogbene, Michael Obafemi, Evan Ferguson, Adam Idah, Troy Parrott, Will Keane, Mikey Johnston
 

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