This is the side we would pick.
The Republic of Ireland play Denmark on Saturday evening in a match that could help decide the team’s fate in the new Uefa Nations League tournament.
Martin O’Neill’s side face a rematch against the nation that ended their World Cup dreams in ruthless fashion last November.
The Danes hammered Ireland 5-1 on that night at the Aviva Stadium.
Victory for Ireland on Saturday night won’t heal the wounds of that defeat, but it would at least help the side as they seek to qualify for Euro 2020.
If they finish bottom of the Nations League mini-group, Ireland will be seeded third in qualification for Euro 2020.
The good news for O’Neill’s team is that Christian Eriksen, who scored a hat-trick in Dublin last November, isn’t available for the match.
While his own options are more plentiful than when his side were beaten 4-1 by Wales in Cardiff last month
Here’s the team we would pick for Saturday’s match.
"There'll never be another Robbie Keane and there wasn't one before he came along. What other small European country has such a player or ever did? He was an outlier" | @RobRedmond10 https://t.co/MSn8At2PGy
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) October 9, 2018
In goal, Darren Randolph starts.
The Bray-native has conceded just six goals in 12 games for Middlesbrough this season, keeping eight clean sheets. He has, however, conceded nine goals in his last two competitive Ireland matches. But only the harshest of critics would blame him for those goals, and he has become Ireland’s undisputed number one ‘keeper.
We’ve opted for a back-three with wing-backs. Shane Duffy and Ciaran Clark start, as always. John Egan gets the nod to start beside them.
The Sheffield United defender hasn’t missed a game this season and has helped his side to the top of the Championship table. He also impressed against Poland last month in a friendly, looking composed on the ball and defensively sound.
In the wing-back positions, we’ve opted for Matt Doherty on the right and Enda Stevens on the left.
Matt Doherty’s assist against Burnley proves that he should start Ireland’s games next month
Doherty is not only Ireland’s most in-form player, but he has been one of the best players in the Premier League this season.
Yet, the Wolves wing-back’s international career has amounted to just 70 minutes of action and three caps. He simply must start against Denmark on Saturday night.
On the other side, Stevens starts in our team.
The Dubliner also only has three caps. He looked solid when he came on as a substitute against Wales in Cardiff last month and can play as a wing-back. He has also impressed for Sheffield United, playing 11 times this season and registering three assists.
In midfield, we’ve picked Jeff Hendrick, Conor Hourihane and Shaun Williams.
Williams may turn 32 in a few days, and only has three caps, but he deserves a shot against the Danes.
The Millwall midfielder scored against Wales as a substitute last month and impressed in a holding role against Poland. Williams was calm in possession and precise with his passing – exactly what Ireland need right now.
Hendrick and Hourihane are both more comfortable getting forward.
Hendrick does his best work for Burnley playing off a centre-forward as the most advanced midfielder. Hourihane is capable of making a difference in the final third, and has registered four assists so far this season for a struggling Aston Villa team.
Up front, we’ve opted for James McClean and Shane Long.
McClean isn’t a natural striker but has played in this position before for Ireland.
Long hasn’t scored for Ireland in two years, and last scored for Southampton back in April. But he can make a difference against Denmark with his pace and his work-rate.
Here’s the team we would pick:
