Ruesha Littlejohn: ‘I think Ireland is in safe hands. There is a lot of talent coming through.’

Macdara Ferris reports from Tallaght Stadium

It was an 80th cap for Ruesha Littlejohn against Wales on Tuesday on a night when the 33-year-old shared the pitch with what she called the future of Irish football – a future that, according to the London City Lionesses player, is very bright.

Jessie Stapleton (19) and Jess Ziu (21) stood out as the young guns who started for the Girls in Green, with Emily Murphy (20) and Izzy Atkinson (22) coming off the bench to make an impact.

“Honestly it is quality,” was Littlejohn’s response when asked about the talented crop of players that is available for Ireland. “I was saying the other day when we were at lunch 'say your ages'. I had all them going '18. 20. 21. 22' and I'm like 'Wow'. It is amazing.

“You are looking at the future and it is bright. There are also other kids coming through who have been at previous camps to get a bit of experience. I think Ireland is in safe hands. There is a lot of talent coming through.

“The girls are going overseas to develop and get better and play against better players. It is really promising. It is exciting.”

The mix of youth and experience for Ireland will be tested in qualification for EURO 2025 – with the draw set for next week. Eileen Gleeson’s side will be drawn in a group with a team from each pot – pot 1 is World Cup and Nations League winners Spain, Germany and Netherlands; pot 2 (England, Denmark, Italy, Austria) and 3 (Iceland, Belgium, Sweden and Norway).

It was an 80th cap for Ruesha Littlejohn against Wales on Tuesday on a night when the 33-year-old shared the pitch with what she called the future of Irish football

“There are a few games that would be tasty and juicy but we will take anyone,” was Littlejohn’s assessment. “It is not going to be easy. We are looking at the pots and it is so tough - every game will be so competitive.”

The top two sides qualify automatically for the Euros in Switzerland next year, with the other two teams in the four team group guarenteed to enter the play-offs – the benefit for Ireland of being in League A of the qualifiers following promotion with six wins out of six from the UEFA Nations League B last year.

Littlejohn was speaking after Ireland’s 2-0 friendly defeat to Wales on Tuesday evening in Tallaght. “It was disappointing to get the loss but I think the best team won. We didn't really create many chances in the end.

“I think we made it hard for ourselves at the start of the game. We had some good moments but we were losing the ball cheaply and getting caught on the transition a lot.

“A few senior players were missing including Denise (O’Sullivan). She is vital in that 10 position and is really important in the press with how aggressive she is. She is so explosive and can put people under pressure. She was a big loss but at the same time we have young players coming through.

“If we want to get better we have to be better at playing different formations. We have obviously played with a back five for a while. That is our go to. That is our safety system. We are hard to break down. We are hard to beat.

“We have to be better in possession, on the ball. Be comfortable under pressure with the football. That is the next step in our development. It has been another good camp. It has been positive. Everyone has been full of good energy. We are learning and trying to play a new style of football.”

In case you missed it we did a Voice Notes podcast for the Republic of Ireland game where we reviewed the action with @oisinlangan and @macdarabueller

We also caught up with Jessica Ziu and @GleesonEileenhttps://t.co/716N6lt7Wcpic.twitter.com/Sf0FpCl5zz

— extratime.com (@ExtratimeNews) February 28, 2024