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To make myself feel better, I’m now going to list all of the amazing things Ireland have accomplished.
Producing the best variety of crisps on the planet; completing the Eurovision; Katie Taylor.
Ehh.
Look, we got to the quarter-finals of a World Cup in 1990 and we packed a bloody roundabout. Makes Liverpool’s parade look like a merited exercise.
I’ve spent the last 48 hours listening to people looking for an opinion on Stephen Kenny but ultimately the idea of continuous assessment of a manager’s credentials every time he oversees a game of football is a worse blemish on the sport than anything manager falls short of.
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They were half-decent in Armenia, no matter how much we want to dissect the shortcomings. It’s become a thing now where results dictate mood and I understand that on a very basic level.
But the process has to matter more because ultimately football should be assessed over longer periods of time.
And then they went and mortified themselves against Ukraine’s B team so I’m out of bloody ready-made counter arguments.
I’m tired, I’m upset and I’m trying to cling onto hope – but there comes a time now where I have to start getting compensated for the emotional undertaking.
Bet builder time.
*A Bet Builder with these four bets pays at approximately 21/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
Saturday 5pm: Republic of Ireland v Scotland
TV: Premier Sports 1
Scotland to Win
The definition of madness, apparently, is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.
Well, it’s quite philosophical and that’s not helpful to anyone – it doesn’t make me feel any better. I think a better reflective line might be to never expect anything remotely positive when you’re emotionally engaged with Irish football.
It’s very hard for anyone to make a case of Ireland not losing now. And that’s not being dramatic – they don’t appear likely to score, so teams need a goal.
And while the two goals they shipped in their defeats to Ukraine and Armenia are very difficult to account for, Scotland are more technically refined.
Both Teams to Score – No
See above, but yes. Ireland look absolutely toothless. And while Kenny is defending their lack of creativity in the final third, it’s absolute nonsense.
They’re not committing players high enough up the pitch, so they’re frequently trying to get the slip pass into pacey strikers in behind the central defenders.
It’s tiresome to watch, but even more so to play in, I’d imagine.
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Stuart Armstrong to Have a Shot on Target
Look at where the shots against Ireland are coming.
They play a back three and their two central midfielders in front of that three are trying too hard to cover the lanes that open for opposition strikers.
It effectively leaves a flat five, with no midfield cover from late runners. Scotland are brilliant at getting full backs high with wingers picking up those inside forward positions.
He’ll exploit.
Callum Robinson to Have a Shot on Target
It doesn’t make a huge amount of sense to play Callum Robinson, but it didn’t make sense to begin with, so I feel like Robbo being in the XI now is a conviction he won’t abandon.
What I will say is that, while he clearly is staying centrally, he’s the only Ireland player happy to carry the ball and strike.
Everyone else is waiting for slow-tempo nonsense and anticipating a slip pass.
Ireland v Scotland tips
Scotland to win
Both Teams To Score – No
Stuart Armstrong to have a shot on target
Callum Robinson to have a shot on target
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