WHEN MARTIN O’NEILL needed to change the game against Sweden on Monday in the Stade de France, there wasn’t a lot of options available for the Ireland manager – and the lack of genuine game changers available to O’Neill could yet to prove Ireland’s downfall at Euro 2016.
The former Celtic manager opted against including a wildcard option, an inexperienced player at international level that could alter the outcome of the game, such as Jack Byrne, Chris Forrester, Jonny Hayes, David McGoldrick or indeed Adam Rooney.
Excluding Robbie Keane, the outfield players on the Ireland bench at the start of the Sweden match had amassed 222 caps, which have yielded just 15 goals, as the following list shows.
Attack
Robbie Keane: 143 Caps, 67 goals
Nobody has made more appearances or scored more goals for Ireland than Robbie Keane but the striker’s five goals in the qualification campaign all came against minnows Gibraltar.
Before that, his last goal of consequence came against Sweden in a World Cup qualifier back in 2013, although he did also score in the dead rubber against Kazakhstan the following month.
Chris Radburn
Chris Radburn
Daryl Murphy: 20 Caps, 0 Goals
The 33-year-old has yet to score for his country, although he ended the 2014-15 season as the top scorer in the Championship, the Ipswich Town man has yet to look like an accomplished international-quality striker.
Brian Lawless
Brian Lawless
Midfield
Aiden McGeady: 82 Caps, 5 Goals
The Everton winger has borne the brunt of criticism from Irish fans over the last couple of seasons, as he has slowly dropped out of the Ireland starting line-up.
The 30-year-old started the qualification brightly, scoring twice away to Georgia in the opening game – but 5 goals in 82 appearances is a meagre return.
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Christophe Ena
Christophe Ena
James McClean: 39 Caps 5 Goals
The Derry native is full of enthusiasm, which can often rub off on his teammates but showed a lack of composure on the ball against Sweden.
McClean’s only goals for Ireland in a competitive game came in the 7-0 win over Gibraltar in 2014 when he scored twice.
Martin Meissner
Martin Meissner
David Meyler: 16 Caps, 0 Goals
A defensive midfielder by trade, it’s hard to be too critical over the former Cork City man, and is unlikely to be brought on if Ireland are chasing a game.
PA Wire / Press Association Images
PA Wire / Press Association Images / Press Association Images
Stephen Quinn: 15 Caps, 0 goals
The Reading midfielder prides himself on being comfortable on the ball, and would be more content recycling attacks than contributing goals, but his name is added to a list where goals are in short supply.
Chris Radburn
Chris Radburn
Defence
Stephen Ward: 32 Caps, 3 goals
The former Bohemians man once operated as a striker for the Gypsies in the League of Ireland and as a winger for Wolves before finally moving to left-back.
His last goal for Ireland was a fine strike against Belarus in the friendly at Turner’s Cross last month.
Brian Lawless
Brian Lawless
Richard Keogh: 12 Caps, 1 Goal
The Derby captain can create problems in the opposition penalty area but has scored only 20 goals throughout his club career in England.
Keogh’s only goal for Ireland came against Georgia in a friendly in 2013,
PA Wire / Press Association Images
PA Wire / Press Association Images / Press Association Images
Cyrus Christie: 5 Caps, 1 Goal
The attack-minded right-back could be used as an option to give Ireland more width, with Seamus Coleman pushing further forward.
Christie opened his account for Ireland in the qualifier against Gibraltar last year.
PA Wire / Press Association Images
PA Wire / Press Association Images / Press Association Images
Shane Duffy: 3 Caps, 0 goals
The Blackburn Rovers defender could consider himself unlucky not to start Monday’s game against Sweden, after impressing in Ireland’s pre-Euro 2016 friendlies.
A danger from set-pieces, Duffy’s first goal for Ireland will come sooner rather than later.
Chris Radburn
Chris Radburn
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The lack of goals on the Ireland bench is a big cause of concern....has O'Neill made a mistake?
WHEN MARTIN O’NEILL needed to change the game against Sweden on Monday in the Stade de France, there wasn’t a lot of options available for the Ireland manager – and the lack of genuine game changers available to O’Neill could yet to prove Ireland’s downfall at Euro 2016.
The former Celtic manager opted against including a wildcard option, an inexperienced player at international level that could alter the outcome of the game, such as Jack Byrne, Chris Forrester, Jonny Hayes, David McGoldrick or indeed Adam Rooney.
Excluding Robbie Keane, the outfield players on the Ireland bench at the start of the Sweden match had amassed 222 caps, which have yielded just 15 goals, as the following list shows.
Attack
Robbie Keane: 143 Caps, 67 goals
Nobody has made more appearances or scored more goals for Ireland than Robbie Keane but the striker’s five goals in the qualification campaign all came against minnows Gibraltar.
Before that, his last goal of consequence came against Sweden in a World Cup qualifier back in 2013, although he did also score in the dead rubber against Kazakhstan the following month.
Daryl Murphy: 20 Caps, 0 Goals
The 33-year-old has yet to score for his country, although he ended the 2014-15 season as the top scorer in the Championship, the Ipswich Town man has yet to look like an accomplished international-quality striker.
Midfield
Aiden McGeady: 82 Caps, 5 Goals
The Everton winger has borne the brunt of criticism from Irish fans over the last couple of seasons, as he has slowly dropped out of the Ireland starting line-up.
The 30-year-old started the qualification brightly, scoring twice away to Georgia in the opening game – but 5 goals in 82 appearances is a meagre return.
James McClean: 39 Caps 5 Goals
The Derry native is full of enthusiasm, which can often rub off on his teammates but showed a lack of composure on the ball against Sweden.
McClean’s only goals for Ireland in a competitive game came in the 7-0 win over Gibraltar in 2014 when he scored twice.
David Meyler: 16 Caps, 0 Goals
A defensive midfielder by trade, it’s hard to be too critical over the former Cork City man, and is unlikely to be brought on if Ireland are chasing a game.
Stephen Quinn: 15 Caps, 0 goals
The Reading midfielder prides himself on being comfortable on the ball, and would be more content recycling attacks than contributing goals, but his name is added to a list where goals are in short supply.
Defence
Stephen Ward: 32 Caps, 3 goals
The former Bohemians man once operated as a striker for the Gypsies in the League of Ireland and as a winger for Wolves before finally moving to left-back.
His last goal for Ireland was a fine strike against Belarus in the friendly at Turner’s Cross last month.
Richard Keogh: 12 Caps, 1 Goal
The Derby captain can create problems in the opposition penalty area but has scored only 20 goals throughout his club career in England.
Keogh’s only goal for Ireland came against Georgia in a friendly in 2013,
Cyrus Christie: 5 Caps, 1 Goal
The attack-minded right-back could be used as an option to give Ireland more width, with Seamus Coleman pushing further forward.
Christie opened his account for Ireland in the qualifier against Gibraltar last year.
Shane Duffy: 3 Caps, 0 goals
The Blackburn Rovers defender could consider himself unlucky not to start Monday’s game against Sweden, after impressing in Ireland’s pre-Euro 2016 friendlies.
A danger from set-pieces, Duffy’s first goal for Ireland will come sooner rather than later.
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