SHAY GIVEN: There’s an argument to give Darren Randolph or Keiren Westwood an opportunity in the longer term, but an experienced campaigner such as Given is required for a match of this magnitude.
Seamus Coleman: Coleman is undoubtedly Ireland’s best player and provided the Everton man is fit, he’s currently the first name on the team-sheet for any game.
Ciaran Clark: Clark barely put a foot wrong, albeit in an easy enough game, against Gibraltar. The Aston Villa deserves to keep his place though, with Marc Wilson struggling for game time so far this season.
John O’Shea: The experienced Sunderland defender will almost certainly line out against Georgia barring injury.
Robbie Brady: A considerable bright spot in this campaign, Brady has made the left-back slot his own in recent matches.
James McCarthy: Even if his Ireland career has been underwhelming so far, McCarthy remains a talented athlete who will always be a useful asset to have when the team are on the backfoot.
Stephen Quinn: In a game in which the onus will be on Ireland to create, and with one defensive midfielder already in the side in McCarthy, surely Quinn would be of more use creatively than Glenn Whelan in a match that Ireland need to win.
Aiden McGeady: There’s no doubt McGeady can be frustrating at times, but Ireland may need to rely on a bit of magic to break down the Georgians, and as he demonstrated in the reverse fixture, McGeady is certainly capable of stepping up.
James McClean: The winger changed the game when he came on against Poland, and there is a case to be argued that he’s more effective when sprung from the bench, but against a stubborn Georgian rearguard, the Irish side will surely need plenty of width in the team to break the visitors down.
Wes Hoolahan: Ireland’s chief creative force is expected to be pivotal if Ireland are to successfully open up the Georgians.
Shane Long: Arguably O’Neill’s toughest selection dilemma is up front. There is an argument to play Keane, the more prolific goalscorer, in a game in which taking chances will be essential. However, Long is playing at a higher level than any Irish striker currently, while Keane has disappointed in the games in which he’s started in the campaign so far (excluding the Gibraltar matches).
Our starting XI
Formation: 4-4-1-1
Given
Coleman Clark O’Shea Brady
McGeady McCarthy Quinn McClean
Hoolahan
Long
Predicted starting XI
Formation: 4-4-2 (Diamond)
Given
Coleman Clark O’Shea Brady
Whelan
Hendrick, McCarthy
Hoolahan
Walters Keane
