Player Ratings: Republic of Ireland 3 - 0 Gibraltar

Luke Jordan reports from the Aviva Stadium

Three goals from Mikey Johnston, Evan Ferguson and Adam Idah helped Ireland see off Gibraltar in Dublin on Monday night.

The win eased the pressure on under-fire boss Stephen Kenny, with the Boys in Green netting three goals during a strong second half performance.

Here is how we rated the Ireland performances during the game.

Gavin Bazunu – 6

Had very little to do all night and did well with anything he had to do.

Nathan Collins – 5

Did not have much to do in the first half and was taken off at half-time.

John Egan - 6

Like Collins, the Sheffield United defender had very little to do.

Provided an aerial threat from corners and may have scored on another night.

Dara O’Shea – 6

The West Brom man returned to Ireland starting XI and looked solid throughout the contest.

Had a shot from distance in the first half but it never looked like finding the back of the net.

Jason Knight – 8

Played in an unorthodox right wing-back role during the opening half and then featured as a right back in the second half when Ireland switched to a back four.

Crucially, the former Cabinteely schoolboy provided an outlet and threat all game – and his energy was exactly what Ireland needed.

James McClean – 7

Centurion. A typically committed performance from the Derry man with plenty of industry and endeavour on show.

Provided two assists from two pinpoint crosses.

Josh Cullen – 5

Cullen struggled again in the middle of the park as the Burnley man’s international window ended in underwhelming fashion - just as it started.

He completed a couple of sloppy passes - and can do with the break after a long season.

Will Smallbone – 4

Similar to Cullen, the Stoke City loanee did not give Ireland the spark they needed in the first half.

Jamie McGrath – 6

There was plenty of effort from the Meath man upon his return to the starting XI.

The Wigan Athletic man made some good runs in the first half off the ball and delivered a couple of dangerous balls into the box. Was solid.

Michael Obafemi – 4

Struggled in the first half and his first-touch was off. He also spurned an opportunity as the Boys in Green failed to break down the visitors during a laboured first half display. 

Was then taken off early in the second period.

Evan Ferguson – 7

Ought to have opened the scoring in the first half but eventually got his goal in the second period. 

The Brighton man already looks like Ireland’s most important attacker at just 18-year-old.

Substitutes

Mikey Johnston – 7

Johnston provided the spark that Ireland needed after his introduction by Kenny during the half-time break.

But importantly, the winger got the all-important first goal to settle the nerves in the stadium.

Adam Idah – 6

Late substitute but got his first goal for Ireland.

Troy Parrott – 5

Alan Browne – 5

Jeff Hendrick – N/A

Was not on for long enough to rate.

Stephen Kenny – 6

Got his tactics wrong in the first half when he decided to persist with a 3-5-2 shape – but made a tactical switch in time to ensure a much-needed victory by switching to a 4-3-3 shape.