72 days after their last competitive outing, a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Euro 2016 hosts France in Lyon, Ireland are back in the hunt for a spot at the next major tournament — the 2018 World Cup in Russia — beginning away to Serbia tonight (7.45pm Irish time).
Victory in Belgrade is not essential but it’s important that this team, which hasn’t really changed barring the retirements of Robbie Keane and Shay Given, builds on the progress made over the summer by putting in an encouraging display and avoiding defeat.
Next up for the Boys in Green after are qualifiers with Georgia (home), Moldova (away), and Austria (away) and they mustn’t lose early ground in what will undoubtedly be a closely-contested Group D.
2. Will defensive pair be fit enough to play?
With the injured James McCarthy definitely ruled out, John O’Shea and Seamus Coleman have been the biggest fitness worries over the past week.
Everton full-back Coleman has yet to feature at club level this season having picked up an ankle problem just before the Premier League season got underway, while O’Shea missed Sunderland’s last league match due to an issue with his hip.
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However, both players have trained the past three days and come through unscathed according to the Irish management. In his pre-match press conference, O’Neill declared that the pair are “fine” when asked if they would be available for selection.
If Coleman doesn’t make it, Derby County’s Cyrus Christie looks set to get the nod, while Richard Keogh and Ciaran Clark would be the likely centre-half partnership in the absence of O’Shea.
3. Who will be the new captain?
Robbie Keane’s retirement from international duty has left the Ireland boss with a decision to make over who he would like to see wearing the armband on a regular basis.
Keane was no longer a first team regular meaning O’Shea often skippered the side in his absence, but Coleman did a fine job as a stand-in during the latter games at Euro 2016 and Jon Walters is another leader worth considering.
Always one to leave his announcements to the last possible moment, O’Neill was reluctant to reveal the identity of his captain on Sunday evening.
Although Coleman is favourite, the selection, for this game at least, may depend on whether the Everton defender starts this evening.
4. How good is this Serbia side?
There are mixed feelings about tonight’s opponents, who have been through some tough times over the last couple of years. There is no doubting the fact that they have talent at their disposal but this group of players have underachieved so far.
Slavoljub Muslin with his management team. Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
Wily coach Slavoljub Muslin has been tasked with getting the best out of the older, experienced players while blooding in the U20 World Cup winning side.
Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic is skipper, but they are missing two key players as his club mate Nemanja Matic and Manchester City’s Aleksandar Kolarov are out through suspension.
Belgrade’s Red Star Stadium is far from a sell-out tonight and it will be interesting to see if the home crowd begins to turns on the team and vents its frustrations if Ireland can keep them at bay and possibly even nick a goal or two.
5. Why has O’Neill still not signed his contract?
The two-and-a-half year deal that O’Neill and his backroom staff signed in November 2013 expired over the summer, yet we are in an odd situation where they haven’t officially renewed their contracts.
The FAI announced just before Euro 2016 that there was a ‘gentleman’s agreement’ in place with O’Neill, but three months on and the issue continues to drag on.
Reports over the past few weeks have suggested he could be wanted by Hull City, but Derryman has always played things down, and asked about it last night said:
I don’t think there are any real particular issues. I think it’s just a matter of getting round to it.”
Whatever the reason behind it, the whole thing is an unnecessary distraction that should be put to bed once and for all.
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Should Coleman be captain and key questions ahead of Ireland's World Cup qualifier
Ben Blake reports from Belgrade
1. Can Ireland get off to a good start?
IT’S TIME TO start all over again, as Martin O’Neill alluded to in yesterday’s pre-match media briefing.
72 days after their last competitive outing, a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Euro 2016 hosts France in Lyon, Ireland are back in the hunt for a spot at the next major tournament — the 2018 World Cup in Russia — beginning away to Serbia tonight (7.45pm Irish time).
Victory in Belgrade is not essential but it’s important that this team, which hasn’t really changed barring the retirements of Robbie Keane and Shay Given, builds on the progress made over the summer by putting in an encouraging display and avoiding defeat.
Next up for the Boys in Green after are qualifiers with Georgia (home), Moldova (away), and Austria (away) and they mustn’t lose early ground in what will undoubtedly be a closely-contested Group D.
2. Will defensive pair be fit enough to play?
With the injured James McCarthy definitely ruled out, John O’Shea and Seamus Coleman have been the biggest fitness worries over the past week.
Everton full-back Coleman has yet to feature at club level this season having picked up an ankle problem just before the Premier League season got underway, while O’Shea missed Sunderland’s last league match due to an issue with his hip.
However, both players have trained the past three days and come through unscathed according to the Irish management. In his pre-match press conference, O’Neill declared that the pair are “fine” when asked if they would be available for selection.
If Coleman doesn’t make it, Derby County’s Cyrus Christie looks set to get the nod, while Richard Keogh and Ciaran Clark would be the likely centre-half partnership in the absence of O’Shea.
3. Who will be the new captain?
Robbie Keane’s retirement from international duty has left the Ireland boss with a decision to make over who he would like to see wearing the armband on a regular basis.
Keane was no longer a first team regular meaning O’Shea often skippered the side in his absence, but Coleman did a fine job as a stand-in during the latter games at Euro 2016 and Jon Walters is another leader worth considering.
Always one to leave his announcements to the last possible moment, O’Neill was reluctant to reveal the identity of his captain on Sunday evening.
Although Coleman is favourite, the selection, for this game at least, may depend on whether the Everton defender starts this evening.
4. How good is this Serbia side?
There are mixed feelings about tonight’s opponents, who have been through some tough times over the last couple of years. There is no doubting the fact that they have talent at their disposal but this group of players have underachieved so far.
Wily coach Slavoljub Muslin has been tasked with getting the best out of the older, experienced players while blooding in the U20 World Cup winning side.
Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic is skipper, but they are missing two key players as his club mate Nemanja Matic and Manchester City’s Aleksandar Kolarov are out through suspension.
Belgrade’s Red Star Stadium is far from a sell-out tonight and it will be interesting to see if the home crowd begins to turns on the team and vents its frustrations if Ireland can keep them at bay and possibly even nick a goal or two.
5. Why has O’Neill still not signed his contract?
The two-and-a-half year deal that O’Neill and his backroom staff signed in November 2013 expired over the summer, yet we are in an odd situation where they haven’t officially renewed their contracts.
The FAI announced just before Euro 2016 that there was a ‘gentleman’s agreement’ in place with O’Neill, but three months on and the issue continues to drag on.
Reports over the past few weeks have suggested he could be wanted by Hull City, but Derryman has always played things down, and asked about it last night said:
Whatever the reason behind it, the whole thing is an unnecessary distraction that should be put to bed once and for all.
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