“I don’t think the Irish public are going to continue to go and watch this team if we’re playing on the back foot against middle-ranked teams.”
In the wake of Saturday’s dire draw with Denmark, Brian Kerr has predicted a bleak future for the Republic of Ireland football team.
The former Ireland manager said that, in the near future, it’s possible that the Irish public will desert the national team if the side continues to struggle against sides of similar quality – such as Wales and Denmark.
Ireland are now happy to be mediocre and it looks like we better get used to it | @RobRedmond10 https://t.co/tKo4KYwn2g
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) October 13, 2018
Kerr was speaking on Virgin Media Sport on Sunday afternoon.
"I don't think the Irish public are going to continue to go and watch this team if we're playing on the back foot against middle ranked teams!"
Brian Kerr looking ahead to Ireland vs Wales… #VMSport pic.twitter.com/Hxjpzovcrs
— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) October 14, 2018
It has been a difficult year for the senior side. They missed out on the World Cup after getting hammered 5-1 by Denmark in the playoffs last November.
There have been reports of disharmony in the squad. Harry Arter briefly withdrew from selection and Declan Rice is still deliberating over his international future. Martin O’Neill almost joined Stoke City.
After the 4-1 pasting by Wales last month, and the goalless draw with Denmark in Dublin, Ireland are also on course to finish bottom of their Uefa Nations League mini-group.
That would result in being third seeds in qualification for Euro 2020. With Dublin set to host matches at the tournament, missing out on qualification would be tough to take.
However, O’Neill didn’t seem concerned following the Denmark game on Saturday night. The Ireland manager was upbeat because the team had kept a clean sheet and had reduced Denmark to very few meaningful efforts on goal.
After conceding nine goals in their previous two competitive matches, maybe that was understandable.
He also said that the result was the start of a “rebuilding process.” Maybe it is, but it was a very humble beginning.
"We were accommodating young Doherty" – Martin O'Neill on Matt Doherty's first start for Ireland https://t.co/as2WqXgep3
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) October 14, 2018
Kerr was dumbfounded by several of O’Neill’s selections in the game, particularly the decision to play Cyrus Christie in midfield. The Fulham full-back was named the man of the match.
Christie revealed after the game that he last played in the position when he was 14-years-old. That was over 12 years ago. He had never played there before in a professional match.
Ireland had midfielders sitting on the bench but instead opted for a full-back in the position.
Kerr found this and several other aspects of the Irish performance difficult to grasp.
"Christie's been in 3 different positions in the last 3 games."
"What's the point of picking Meyler, Williams & Hourihane and not playing any of them?"
"If we want to become Iceland, then do it well!"
"It was neither fish nor fowl."
Brian Kerr on Ireland last night. #VMSport pic.twitter.com/fGzT76f2ye
— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) October 14, 2018
