Stephen Kenny says ‘it’s business as usual’ ahead of Dutch test as clock ticks down on his Ireland reign
Manager Stephen Kenny during a Republic of Ireland press conference at the FAI Headquarters in Abbotstown, Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Stephen Kenny is keen to block out the noise surrounding his own future and has challenged his injury-hit Ireland squad to come up with an historic away win against the Netherlands and channel the spirt of Hampden Park in 1987 to finish on a high in what has been a disappointing Euro qualifying campaign.
And ahead of what is almost certainly his last competitive game in charge of the side, Kenny insists his own contractual situation will have no bearing on the outcome when Ireland face a Netherlands outfit looking for a win to seal automatic qualification.
"I’m just focussing on the training and the games,” Kenny said. “Being open and honest, people knows my contract ends next week and so forth. So that hasn’t altered anything. It’s business as usual, working hard and focus on preparing well for the two games. The players are ambitious themselves, wanting to experience moments like playing Holland in Amsterdam and what goes with that in terms of opportunity that exists. The players are very determined."
Kenny's squad trained in Dublin today for the first time in this international break but he has injury concerns over four players, all attackers, as Evan Ferguson, Jamie McGrath, Chiedozie Ogbene and Will Smallbone have been sent for scans on injuries, leading to a senior promotion for U21 cap Andy Moran who is in as cover.
Kenny will give all four of the injured players time to recover, accepting that he will be without at least one of that quartet for the Amsterdam test, with Ogbene and Smallbone the main concerns. Smallbone has not yet reported in for duty as he’s being
Read on belfasttelegraph.co.uk
