1. Aiden McGeady
IT’S BEEN A disappointing, injury-ridden season for the 29-year-old winger.
Speaking to the media yesterday, McGeady — who last completed 90 minutes of competitive football in January — described how he took a painkilling injection to play in the Boys in Green’s most recent qualifier with Poland. Such problems undoubtedly partially explained his underwhelming performance that night, as he was substituted on 68 minutes for the much livelier James McClean.
McGeady’s similarly patchy displays at Goodison Park this year have failed to endear him to the home crowd, however, the former Celtic star will he have been boosted by recent words of encouragement from manager Roberto Martinez.
Such maddeningly inconsistent form means his place in the Ireland first XI is likely to be under threat for the all-important qualifier with Scotland, yet Martin O’Neill may just keep faith with the Falkirk-born player in the hope that he might emulate his influential display against Georgia.
2. James McClean
Another who’s endured a difficult season at club level, James McClean was part of the Wigan side relegated from the Championship this season.
Leeds, Newcastle and New York Red Bulls have subsequently all been linked with the player who has signalled his desire to leave the Latics, in order to test himself at a higher level than League One.
Consequently, there will be even more pressure than usual on the 26-year-old Derry native to catch the eye at international level in the coming weeks.
McClean certainly made an impact, helping to turn the game, during Ireland’s clash at home to Poland last March, and a similarly strong display against England could earn the former Sunderland man a starting spot against the Scots.
3. Shay Given
On the one hand, it’s been a fantastic season for the 39-year-old goalkeeper. Given won his place back in both the Ireland and Aston Villa team, playing an important role in the latter’s run to the FA Cup final in the process.
Yet after initially impressing since returning to the fold, the situation has once again threatened to go awry for the Donegal native.
Although he was hardly helped by a leaky defence, Given has conceded a worrying tally of 10 goals in his last two appearance for Villa — form that won’t exactly fill him with confidence for the upcoming games.
Moreover, in his first competitive start since returning to the international fold, having initially retired after Euro 2012, Given arguably could have done more to prevent Poland’s solitary goal.
With David Forde losing his number one spot despite Martin O’Neill acknowledging that the Millwall stopper hadn’t done much wrong, and with Keiren Westwood earning a place in the Championship team of the season owing to a series of fine displays at club level, Given needs a strong performance or two to convince the doubters that he still deserves to be first choice in the Irish side.
4. Cyrus Christie
Left-back has been a problem position for the Irish team for a while now, as a series of candidates have struggled to convince in the role.
Christie, who has the ability to play on both the left and right side of a back four, made an encouraging debut in a friendly against USA last November.
However, since then, the Derby man has endured a torrid time at club level. The Rams narrowly missed out on a playoff spot, while injuries and a loss of form mean Christie hasn’t started a competitive game since 3 April, when he was taken off at half-time during his side’s 2-2 draw with soon-to-be promoted Watford.
However, with Robbie Brady producing a mixed display in the recent Poland encounter and Stephen Ward struggling to get regular game time at Burnley, the Ireland left-back spot still very much appears to be up for grabs.
5. James McCarthy
Harshly branded a “terrible flop” by Eamon Dunphy after the Poland game, there nonetheless remains a suspicion that McCarthy has yet to really fulfill his potential as a player for Ireland.
Nevertheless, there were glimpses of a steel and authority, which he is often accused of lacking, in the second half of the encounter with Poland.
In addition, McCarthy — who has been linked recently with Liverpool, Arsenal and Man United amid rumours of a contractual dispute — has received glowing reviews for his performances at times this season.
The ex-Wigan player’s man-of-the-match display against Man United, which highlighted the new, more advanced role he has been embracing of late, was the kind of performance Irish fans would love to see the 24-year-old produce on a regular basis at international level.
