Advertisement
Michael Obafemi. Ryan Byrne/INPHO

Obafemi starts, Duffy and Coleman out as Kenny names Ireland team to face Scotland

Matt Doherty also returns to the starting XI.

 

MICHAEL OBAFEMI RETURNS to the starting Irish team for tonightโ€™s Uefa Nations League clash with Scotland and Hampden Park. 

Obafemi scored in the 3-0 win against Scotland in June, but missed the subsequent game against Ukraine through injury. Elsewhere, Dara Oโ€™Shea is preferred to both Shane Duffy and Seamus Coleman in the Irish back three. Oโ€™Shea is expected to start on the right-hand side, with Nathan Collins in the centre and John Egan to the left. Egan captains the side. 

Matt Doherty returns to the starting team having missed Juneโ€™s games through injury, with James McClean retained at left wing-back. Josh Cullen, Jayson Molumby, and Jason Knight continue in the midfield three, with Troy Parrott partnering Obafemi up front. Gavin Bazunu returns in goal. 

Liam Scales misses out on the matchday squad. 

Elsewhere, Scotland have resisted the urge to rotate ahead of their game against Ukraine on Tuesday, with Kieran Tierney retained at left-back. Lyndon Dykes is preferred to Che Adams up front. 

Itโ€™s expected that Scotland will retain their back four, with Scott McTominay expected to play in midfield. 

The game kicks off at Hampden Park at 7.45pm. 

Ireland can no longer top the group, following Ukraineโ€™s 5-0 win away to Armenia earlier today. Scotland can afford to lose tonight and still top the group: they must beat Ukraine in the groupโ€™s final game next Tuesday. 

Victory for Ireland will guarantee their League B status, and relegate Armenia ahead of the sidesโ€™ clash in Dublin next Tuesday. Ireland must also win to be in contention to earn a place as second seeds in the Euro 2024 qualifying draw: the best-ranked runner-up in League B โ€“ after results against the bottom side in the group are discounted โ€“ will be in Pot Two in next monthโ€™s draw. 

Close
8 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Seamus McSpud
    Favourite Seamus McSpud
    Report
    Mar 17th 2016, 1:32 PM

    NA PIARSAIGHโ€ฆ. : I donโ€™t know who you are. I donโ€™t know what you think you can do in Croke park. If you are looking for a win today I can tell you should be playing football. I do have are a very particular set of skills, skills I have acquired over a very long career. Skills that make me a nightmare for teams like you. If you let us win today, thatโ€™ll be the end of it. I will not hammer you, I will not embarrass you. But if you donโ€™t, We
    will out score you, We will hammer you and We will beat you.

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ann-Marie Wallis
    Favourite Ann-Marie Wallis
    Report
    Mar 17th 2016, 2:33 PM

    Comical read, you look as foolish as your username now. Cmon Na Piarsaigh!

    42
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tom Collins
    Favourite Tom Collins
    Report
    Mar 17th 2016, 5:34 PM

    Well he had a point but it went the other way

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave Meagher
    Favourite Dave Meagher
    Report
    Mar 17th 2016, 5:29 PM

    Well if you didnโ€™t know who they are , you f@cling know now eh?

    8
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel