FINN AZAZ WILL make his competitive debut for the Republic of Ireland in tonight’s Nations League clash with Finland, while Evan Ferguson returns to lead the line up front.
Azaz comes into the midfield, with Josh Cullen also returning after injury and Jasyon Molumby drops to bench as manager Heimir Hallgrímsson makes four changes to the starting XI that lost 2-0 to Greece last month.
Celtic defender Liam Scales, who was an unused substitute in both of the opening Group 2 games for this League B campaign, replaces Andrew Omobamidele, although it will not be a like for like swap as Scales is set to feature on the left side of defence.
STARTING XI | Finland v Ireland
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) October 10, 2024
Evan Ferguson, Finn Azaz, Josh Cullen & Liam Scales all come into the starting XI for the UEFA Nations League tie in Helsinki this evening 🇮🇪
KO is 7.45pm Irish/9.45pm local with Ireland backed by a fantastic travelling support 💚 pic.twitter.com/ckdVO3p58J
The presence of Robbie Brady in the team would suggest a back five with the veteran Preston North End man as left back or wing back.
Republic of Ireland team: Caoimhín Kelleher; Chiedozie Ogbene, Dara O’Shea, Nathan Collins (captain), Liam Scales; Robbie Brady, Josh Cullen, Jason Knight, Finn Azaz, Sammie Szmodics; Evan Ferguson.
Where are we going with Robbie Brady. Back to the future. Make it make sense.
@Michael Carroll: That didn’t age well.
Ogbene in twice, expecting a lot from him.
@Bert Carolan: right lol
Parrot should be starting
I never doubted you Robbie. Ha Ha.
Looks like a very balanced selection. This guy seems to think we have a mentality issue. I think he’s right. We have talent. Hopefully he can figure it out
COYBIG
@Louis Jacob: we have no midfield. Not one of the Irish qualified midfielders playing the game today would even get near the Irish squads of the 80s 90s or 00s. Some decent attacking talent but we’re getting overrun in midfield by the likes of Luxembourg. It wouldn’t matter if we’d Messi up front.
3-5-2 with the ball, 5-4-1 without it . HH making his mark this round of games
COYBIG
If your Troy Parrott you be pissed off to see Ferguson and Sammie in ahead of you as both have been limited to minutes since the last games we played while Parrott has played regularly. If he was making a statement dropping Ferguson makes sense. Parrott to get a goal anytime tonight might be worth a little bet
Brady wud make u sick