Ireland boss Kenny slams 'unfair' criticism of Nations League record

Republic of Ireland boss Stephen Kenny hits back at ‘completely unfair’ criticism of his side’s Nations League record after the squad suffered a Covid crisis in their last campaign… with the team winless in 10 games

• Republic of Ireland have failed to win a Nations League game in 11 attempts  
• Manager Stephen Kenny defended their record after a Covid crisis last time out 
• He said the stick they were getting was ‘completely unfair’ after their struggles 

Stephen Kenny defended the Republic of Ireland’s Nations League record as they try to win their first game in the competition at the 11th try.

The Republic are one of five countries – Iceland, Northern Ireland, Andorra and San Marino are the others – still to register a victory in the event after two editions.

They play Armenia in Yerevan on Saturday afternoon on the back of an eight-match unbeaten run.

Republic of Ireland boss Stephen Kenny has defended his side’s record in the Nations League

And manager Kenny challenged his players to win their League B1 group and clinch second-seed status for the Euro 2024 qualifying draw. He also said the Covid crisis, and not poor displays, were a big reason for their poor Nations League record

Speaking at his pre-match press conference at the Republican Stadium, he said: ‘We had a situation where after coming back from a Euro play-off, we had to play Wales. We had a call late at night to say that five of the starting XI couldn’t play because they were close contacts and two of the players on the plane couldn’t play.

‘We were one of the few countries at the time that were adopting those rules on close contacts – two metres – so for two windows we really had minus 10 players.

‘In difficult circumstances, all of the games were either drawn or lost by a goal. The players acquitted themselves well at the time considering the circumstances. It’s not fair to assess that campaign at all, completely unfair.’

The team are winless in 11 attempts in the competition but suffered a Covid outbreak last time

In all, the Republic have drawn five and lost five of the 10 Nations League games they have played to date, scoring only two goals in the process.

However, they have made steady progress in the last year or so and head into the Armenia game on the back of an eight-match unbeaten run.

Kenny added: ‘I know people want to criticise that period and people really went after us in that period, but I think we have shown over the last year that the players have played brilliantly.

‘The Irish public really identify with this team now. It’s a new style of play, it’s a vibrant style of play, the players have been terrific.’

Kenny will have a full squad of players from which to choose in Yerevan, with goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu having shaken off a back injury, and skipper Seamus Coleman is relishing the start of a new campaign fresh from club Everton’s ultimately successful fight for Premier League survival.

Ireland are hopeful of putting their poor form behind them against Armenia this weekend

Coleman said: ‘Tomorrow afternoon’s game is the most important one for us trying to start on a good note.

‘We know it won’t be easy, but the last 12 months have been really good as the manager touched on, the Serbia game, Portugal, Belgium.

‘The team has grown in confidence and we are playing a style of football that people want to see, and we are forever improving.

‘The new lads coming in as well are eager to impress, so we will start off tomorrow hoping to get all three points, play well and we will go from there. You go into any campaign wanting to do the best that you can, so that is what we will be doing.’

Coleman and his team-mates will, however, have to deal with soaring temperatures in Eastern Europe, with forecasts suggesting the mercury could hit 36C during the game.

Share this article

Source: Read Full Article