“I thought he was absolutely sensational.”
Matt Doherty recieved a lot of praise for his performance against Burnley on Sunday. The Wolves wing-back won the man of the match award for his display in their first home victory of the season.
Doherty set-up the only goal of the game and had more touches of the ball than any other player on the pitch.
Matt Doherty’s assist against Burnley proves that he should start Ireland’s games next month
“For all the Portuguese superstars, or promising Portuguese players that they have brought in over the last 18 months or so, it’s their Irish wing-back who stood out today,” host Mark Chapman said.
“Matt Doherty was sensational today,” Jermaine Jenas said.
“It just shows here the influence he had on the game.
“He was ever an option on the right-hand side. I think it’s great for any wing-back in this side because the manager gives them that freedom to go and express themselves, get forward and create and make things happen.
“I thought he gave Taylor and Gudmundson a really tough time. The crosses he put into the box were brilliant. But what impressed me more were the runs he made, they’re intelligent runs.
“Burnley just didn’t seem to be able to deal with it… I thought he was absolutely sensational.”
Despite impressing for his club over the last few seasons, Doherty appears to be Martin O’Neill’s third choice to start at right-back for Ireland,
Seamus Coleman plays in his position, so few expected Doherty to start against Wales in the 4-1 Uefa Nations League defeat. Yet, even when the Ireland captain picked up an injury, the Wolves player didn’t start in a friendly against Poland.
Cyrus Christie played ahead of him and Doherty had to make do with coming on as a second-half substitute.
Matt Doherty on the reasons why maybe his “face just doesn’t fit” in Ireland setup
Given that O’Neill regularly mourns the lack of Irish Premier League players available to him, the decision not to start Doherty left many surprised. The team also played with wing-backs on the night.
It has been suggested that the Ireland manager doesn’t like that Doherty wears gloves and tights when training in cold weather.
“He has mentioned the gloves. I wear them because it’s cold,” Doherty told The Sunday Times.
“When I first went out he had a joke about the gloves, nothing too serious. I don’t know. Ask him.”
“I know he’s said he would like me to attack more. Maybe I’ll do that. When I first joined up it was my defending that was the problem. Now it’s my attacking. Maybe my face just doesn’t fit.”
Matt Doherty’s assist against Burnley proves that he should start Ireland’s games next month
With Coleman set to miss next month’s matches against Denmark and Wales in Dublin, it’s possible that Doherty will be given his chance in a competitive game for Ireland.
However, if he doesn’t play, Ireland’s loss could potentially be the Netherland’s gain.
Doherty is eligible to play for the country through his mother, who is Dutch. The Wolves wing-back grew up in Dublin and has laughed off suggestions that he is going to switch allegiance.
“My mam is Dutch but I’m green,” he told The Herald earlier this summer.
“Who is the manager there? I might have to message him or something. Seriously, if I can’t get in the Irish team I ain’t getting in the Dutch team, am I?” he said last year in an interview with The Sunday Times.
Doherty is extremely unlikely to switch from Ireland to Holland, but his form certainly warrants a starting place at international level.
