Kenny looks for A final high against the Dutch as play-off dream is over

Ireland's preparations for Saturday's upcoming Qualifying Group B European Championship clash with the Netherlands continue strongly, but sadly manager Stephen Kenny has already had his problems during the build-up phase given the players selected for his match day squad that arrived with injuries, not a present he would have welcomed.

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Until then though, a winning streak will be top of most managers' lists, but sadly Ireland also were already well aware that straight qualification from the group was now a pipe dream given we only gained six points from the opening seven games, and sit just above bottom spot in fourth place. The 2-0 home defeat to Greece on October 13 ended our changes of mathematically being able to finish in the top two - particularly in light of our goal difference.

Last Thursday another door was also closed to us, as Slovakia took a 4-2 home win over Iceland in their Group J clash, and we needed Iceland to win to keep alive any hopes of getting another stab at qualification via a Nations League Play Off spot.

There is still pride to play for though on Saturday evening over in Holland, and Kenny will be hopeful that the players can step up to the plate, irrespective of what kind of starting XI he is capable of putting out for the game.

The major doubts right now are Brighton and Hove Albion's talented youngster, Evan Ferguson, Luton Town winger, Chiedozie Ogbene, who have already been classed as 'doubtful', and midfielders Will Smallbone and Jamie McGrath also continue to be assessed.

"They're all doubtful. We might not lose them all but we might not have them all."

All four needed scans upon their arrival to the Irish camp, but Kenny was insistent that he would not be overly drawn on their potential involvement at this stage.

"We are monitoring their situation at the moment. Not all of them are straightforward. It's not just about the scans, it's about managing the injuries and so forth. We'll see how that goes over the next couple of days. Chiedozie is finding it difficult so we'll have to wait and see. Will Smallbone as well. They are all doubtful, we will just have to see how they are."

With the final Group game basically being a dead rubber, and our only victories being over minnows Gibraltar, Kenny is very aware that his current national contract comes to an end after the friendly with New Zealand next Tuesday, but he remains confident that he, and the squad, have been able to drown out the noise that speculation has created, as he potentially looks to go out on a high.

"Just by focusing on the training and the games, really. The players are ambitious. They want to experience moments like playing against Holland in Amsterdam, what goes with that and the opportunity that exists there. The players are very determined. I have been open and honest, my contract ends next week but that hasn't altered anything. It's business as usual and we will work hard on preparing well."

Many fans will feel their is an air of resignation in his words, as he continued to play up the talents of the group at his disposal, knowing sadly he just had not been able to capitalise on that talent.

"There are a lot of very talented players who are emerging. In their club careers as well, they are starting to do well this season. Two years ago, we probably had the equivalent number of players playing in League One than we do now in the Premier League. Their careers are on an upward trajectory and they are only going to get better, you would feel. There are good options in most areas and you feel there is a lot of growth in the squad and a lot of potential there."

Whether or not he is the man to realise on that growth in the future remains to be seen.

On Thursday evening, it was latterly confirmed that Smallbone and Festy Ebosele had, in fact, now been ruled out of both games, and Wrexham player, James McClean has now been called in to bolster the squad. The 34 year old has huge experience in the game, and won his 100th cap in the earlier Gibraltar win back in June, but he had announced his international retirement following the New Zealand friendly, so whether this changes his standpoint is open to debate, but it more than gives him a final send off in one, or both, of this windows matches.

It is certainly a blow for Ebosele who turned his back on Wayne Rooney and Derby County back in 2022 when their issues came to the fore, and instead made the move to Italian side Udinese, and simply put, he has not looked back, featuring in all of their games this season, and obviously making his international debut back in September's game against France.

"If you're not afraid to take a risk then yeah, definitely. You will definitely improve in the long run. It's difficult at the start but once you get used to it then it is very enjoyable. I definitely think I've come a long way. I've been getting used to the style of play in Italy. I've had to adapt and add some new aspects to the game. I feel like I have done that in the year and a half I've been there now. It's working out very well for me."

It should not be too long at all before he is back in the camp, and hopefully moving forward, we will certainly gain from his unexpected journey.