Republic of Ireland manager Martin O’Neill has been impressed by the recent club form of striker Daryl Murphy ahead of the upcoming Euro 2016 qualifiers against Gibraltar and Germany.
Five goals in the last six Championship games for Ipswich Town, who are managed by former Republic boss Mick McCarthy, has pushed Murphy to the forefront of O’Neill’s mind when weighing up his options up front for Saturday’s Group D clash at home to Gibraltar.
The match against Germany in Gelsenkirchen comes three days later and record goalscorer Robbie Keane seems certain to start against the world champions, but two games in four days for the veteran is far from a certainty.
Waterford man Murphy, who has nine senior caps but is yet score for the Boys in Green, appears to have played himself into O’Neill’s reckoning.
O’Neill said: “He has played, very, very well indeed. I have watched him a number of times now.
“I think that I have been following him around, I've almost been stalking him at the moment, he has played very well and got plenty of confidence.
“Speaking to him he feels he is playing in his right position at the centre-forward.
“He did have a spell, maybe a season and a half or two seasons ago, out wide left but he feels more comfortable up there and he has played exceptionally, exceptionally well.”
UEFA new boys Gibraltar had an inauspicious start to their inaugural Euro campaign with 7-0 defeat to Poland in Faro, Portugal, where Gibraltar play their Group D home games.
“We have to win the match. It's really important” - Martin O’Neill on the Gibraltar match
However, O'Neill and his charges won’t be taking matters for granted even if a victory is taken as a given by observers.
“We have to win the match. It's really important,” he said.
“It's three points on offer so we have to go and win the game. Gibraltar have no tradition in that sense. They are new into it.
“If you saw the game against Poland, you would understand what the Polish people were saying – that they caused lots of problems, got loads of men behind the ball and showed a great determination in the game.
“Until eventually Poland got the second goal, they couldn't relax in the game. Us winning the Gibraltar match is of vital importance.”
Live coverage of Republic of Ireland v Gibraltar from 4pm on Saturday on RTÉ2, RTÉ Player and Radio 1.
Live coverage of Germany v Republic of Ireland from 7pm on Tuesday on RTÉ2, RTÉ Player and 2FM.
