JAKE O’BRIEN AND Evan Ferguson start for Ireland against Bulgaria at the Aviva Stadium tonight, as Ireland bid to retain their League B status in the Nations League.
O’Brien comes in for Dara O’Shea, while Ferguson plays at the expense of Ryan Manning.
Hallgrimsson otherwise keeps his starting XI intact from the 2-1 in win Plovdiv on Thursday, with Caoimhín Kelleher in goal and Nathan Collins partnering O’Brien at centre-back. Matt Doherty wins his 50th cap at right-back and Robbie Brady continues at left-back. Jason Knight and Josh Cullen reprise their midfield partnership with Mikey Johnston off the right.
Having led the line on Thursday, Troy Parrott will likely play a little deeper and off Ferguson, with Finn Azaz retaining his spot in the attack, too.
STARTING XI | Ireland v Bulgaria
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) March 23, 2025
Two changes for Ireland tonight as both Jake O'Brien and Evan Ferguson come into the starting XI following the 2-1 win in Plovdiv on Thursday 💚
Kick-off is at 7.45pm as we look for back-to-back wins this week 🇮🇪 pic.twitter.com/4nKbw5DCm2
Kick off at the Aviva Stadium is at 7.45pm. Ireland hold a 2-1 aggregate lead from Thursday’s first-leg in Plovdiv, and so need only to avoid defeat to secure their status in League B. If the tie is level after 90 minutes, extra time and penalties will be held until we have a winner.
Ferguson and Parrott starting – more of this please.
Over time, Halgrimsson has to find a way of disguising the absence of any top class midfielders
If your Ryan Manning you can feel hard done by. Dara must be carrying a knock as he was better than Collins. Jake deserves a chance while Evan just needs game time. He shouldn’t even be starting this over the likes of Idah who has been more regularly used. We should have enough but I feel were missing a trick in this game but if we are 2 up going into half time maybe we will see more new faces.
@Leighton Cullen: absolutely. He played very well the last game after being parachuted in last minute
Bar.. Knight…this is a Good Selection…
@eugene higgins: Harsh! But what is encouraging is the age profile of all bar Brady and Doherty.