Egan Optimistic Ahead of Kenny’s First Home Game

Stephen Kenny will lead Ireland at the Aviva Stadium for the first time when they face Finland in the UEFA Nations League (5pm). Ireland began the new era under the former Dundalk manager with a 1-1 draw with Bulgaria on Thursday evening. Unfortunately, no spectators will witness the proud day for the Tallaght native. The game will be shown live on Sky Sports

Bulgaria took the lead through Bozhidar Kraev who capitalized on some sloppy defending from both Shane Duffy and John Egan to open the scoring and it looked as though Kenny would begin his reign with a defeat but captain on the night Duffy rescued a point in injury time with a trademark header.

Rome wasn’t built in a day and players will have to adjust to Kenny’s demands in the coming months. There were several changes made to the starting line-up from Mick McCarthy’s last game in charge with Adam Idah, Callum O’Dowda and Aaron Connolly securing starting places.

Recent Tottenham Hotspur recruit Matt Doherty was preferred to Seamus Coleman at right-back while James McCarthy returned following a long injury lay-off. Due to the quick turnaround between the two Nations League games, it is highly unlikely that it will be an unchanged 11 on Sunday.

Speaking to extratime.com after the game, Kenny hinted that he will be examining different players for the visit of Finland ahead of next month’s Euro 2020 play-off with Slovakia. “

“The game (against Bulgaria) took it out of some players. They haven’t had a lot of football so that comes into your thinking. We want to win our first game here in the Aviva Stadium but we also have to plan for the play-off against Slovakia.

In the pre-match press conference, Sheffield United central defender John Egan is optimistic following the first week with the new management team.

“Obviously there has been a short space of time to try and get their ideas across to the players. Stephen, Keith Andrews and Damien Duff have been brilliant. We have had some really good sessions and I think you saw the start of what we are trying to implement.”

Kenny’s Dundalk teams and more recently the Ireland U-21’s have been renowned for playing a good brand of football including playing the ball out from the back which is an alien concept to many players when playing for Ireland but the centre-back is comfortable with the proposed change ins style.

“The way the manager wants to play is really good. I think the lads have really bought into it. You can see in training the confidence that he gives the lads. It’s not going to happen overnight. The more games and sessions we can get the better and we can try to improve.”

Normally, the Aviva Stadium would be full for the first game of a new managerial reign but it will not be the case on Sunday due to the ongoing Covid-19 related restrictions. Egan admits that this will be a strange experience playing for Ireland.

“It is going to be strange. Obviously the fans haven’t been allowed in to games for a while now so in a sad way you are getting used to it. The Aviva is a different kettle of fish as you are used to seeing the Irish fans in there and in full voice. Its going to be very different but its something we have to adjust to.”