Josh Cullen’s value to the Republic of Ireland quest to clasp the coattails of European football’s elite is exemplified by a Fifa mea culpa.
The Anderlecht midfielder – who may follow manager Vincent Kompany to Burnley, if that deal were to happen this summer – was meant to be suspended for Saturday’s Nations League opener against Armenia in Yerevan but, for a change, the rub of the green forces Stephen Kenny to alter best-laid plans.
Cullen, incorrectly punished for receiving two yellow cards during last year’s World Cup qualification campaign, is free to play and Kenny will adjust his plans accordingly.
“We actually do have him available now, Josh Cullen, since yesterday which surprised us all really,” Kenny revealed. “When we got the notification a long time ago from Fifa that he was suspended in the next competition I asked [the FAI] to challenge that legally because I thought it was extremely harsh.”
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As a result, expect a stronger starting XI with Ireland and Everton skipper Séamus Coleman potentially winning his last cap in the arduous right wing back slot as a gaggle of centre-halves seek to retain, in the case of Shane Duffy and John Egan, or muscle into the line-up − Nathan Collins and Dara O’Shea being the young usurpers intent on cementing their places come the Euro 2024 campaign.
Michael Obafemi is proving himself a rare Irish jewel, one that scores goals. But the triumvirate of Callum Robinson, Jason Knight and Chiedozie Ogbene, who gelled so impressively away to Luxembourg last November, are set to keep Obafemi and Troy Parrott at bay. For now.
“Michael is a really good footballer,” said Kenny between piped music, a relentless lawnmower and an elderly Armenian gardener invading the interview room to swipe a pot plant, “he really sees things and I’ve been quite impressed”.
Obafemi’s work rate and a history of hamstring issues may dictate the course of a promising international career. The current injury to Adam Idah provides an opportunity for the 21-year-old and 20-year-old Parrott to rewrite the narrative.
“Adam is clearly taller than Michael but they do have similar attributes; they’ve both got pace, they make forward runs and Michael has improved his back-to-goal stuff in a major way. I’m not saying he’s going to start because other players have done well, Callum Robinson has scored goals in recent times.”
Six in the West Brom attacker’s last six caps to be exact.
Other decisions about the future direction of this team will be revealed by Gavin Bazunu keeping Caoimhín Kelleher and Mark Travers at arm’s length while James McClean and Enda Stevens both lay claim to the highly influential left wing back position.
“I just said to James that he’s a credit to himself because he’s played only 60 minutes in eight weeks,” Kenny remarked. “His training regime is not one I’d maybe recommend to all the young players coming in. It’s not always conventional. He was sending videos of him running up hills wherever he was.
“He’s come in and his numbers are incredible. With his levels of intensity in the training match [against the under-21s], he looks in great nick.”
All the pieces matter in high summer.
“Substitutes over the four games [in 10 days] will be important. They have been influential in recent matches for us. They will continue to be important.”
Circadian rhythms need correcting with a little melatonin and 5pm sessions in Yerevan which should ensure that Ireland hit the ground running come Saturday evening at the Republican Stadium.
The Nations Cup is all that consumes Kenny’s travelling professionals as Armenians cope with the spectre of peace negotiations with neighbours Azerbaijan while next week’s opponents, Ukraine and Scotland, must recover from Wednesday’s emotional World Cup play-off at Hampden Park.
“Ukraine played very well, they have a lot of really good, technical players. Obviously Yaremchuk is a really good centre forward. Scotland probably didn’t play to their full potential last night, and Ukraine deserved to win overall.”
Camp Ireland are more interested in adjusting to stifling heat − it was a heavy 32 degrees well into Thursday evening – while making room for the recent and upcoming nuptials of Stevens and training ground coach John Eustace.
“I just have to show up, that’s all, she said,” smiled Stevens while Eustace joined the group late after a picturesque ceremony amid the Cotswolds.
No reason to presume anything other than a loving, committed group of men are primed for a positive result under the setting Armenian sun.
