Stephen Kenny had high hopes coming into the four-game international window to begin the 2022 UEFA Nations League.
A freshly signed contract taking his Ireland position up to the 2024 European Championships, Kenny was planning to showcase his new-look side throughout the six-game shoot-out with home and away games against Ukraine, Scotland and Armenia, the final two games set for September.
Little did he expect that two games in there would be a narrative building against his tenancy in the nation's top job with the Euro 2024 qualifiers still over nine months away from commencing.
Everybody assumed that Ireland would open their campaign with a straightforward victory away in Armenia, and had that been the case, the close contest against Ukraine on Wednesday may not have attracted as much attention as it has.
Kenny’s side appeared to have the template to beat these perceived weaker teams, overpowering them early to get that vital first goal and then ease to victory, however, things did not go to plan in Yerevan.
A dominating performance in Armenia, perhaps, combined with a decent outing against Ukraine, had these been friendly games, there would have been arguments to overlook, with soaring temperatures and end of season fatigue to be taken into account.
Those naysayers driven by results had been virtually silenced throughout the second half of 2021 and into the March 2022 window as Kenny’s men went on an eight-game unbeaten streak.
But now they are starting to get vocal again, and the decibel level will only increase should Ireland fail to beat Scotland at Lansdowne Road tonight. An even tougher task awaits in Poland on Tuesday as Ukraine should be back to full strength and it could add more fuel to the fire.
Promotion into the top tier of the Nations League is possibly already out of reach, and if the team come out of the four-game series without a victory, the only thing that will be on the cards come the conclusion in September is a looming relegation battle.
In such a scenario, the intervening weeks and months could prove a very long time to wait around, and while that new contract was eventually offered and accepted, there must still be dissenters within the corridors of power who will canvas for change.
Kenny admitted that his side were hurting following that defeat against Ukraine on Wednesday, their second loss in four days, and the only thing in his favour really is the fact that he has a chance to right those wrongs tonight as Scotland pay a visit.
And while this international window has been difficult for the Scots, losing a play-off semi-final and missing out a chance to get to the World Cup, they bounced back at Hampden Park on Wednesday night and got back to winning ways with a straightforward 2-0 victory over Armenia to get three points on the board in the Nations League.
Steve Clarke’s side are considered to be a step or two ahead of Ireland at the moment, and certainly possess a higher calibre of player – based on club status, at least – and the Scots will relish the chance to come to Dublin and take all three points to really heap the pressure on Kenny.
Credit to the Kenny where it’s due, the defensive unit has looked rock solid throughout the past 12 months with very little getting through the three-man set-up, protected by Josh Cullen and Jeff Hendrick sitting in front with the wing-backs marshalling the flanks.
Regular goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu is missing, but with Caoimhin Kelleher slotting in, there appears little cause for concern.
Scotland do have the potential to cause problems, however, with a penchant for attacking down both flanks, showing similarities to Liverpool when they get it right, spurred on by their own Red, and skipper, Andy Robertson working wide on the left, with Celtic’s Anthony Ralston providing a similar threat up the right.
The Scots also have a very strong spine in their side with Premier League trio Scott McTominay, John McGinn and Che Adams offering real strength down the middle.
Kenny intends to freshen up the side for what is as close to a must-win match as you can get in the current circumstances, and no doubt, he will be looking for pace and energy to put Scotland on the back foot, or threaten in behind when they do push men forward.
John Egan will sit this one out, which means that Shane Duffy will be matched with two young, agile and athletic central defensive partners Dara O’Shea and Nathan Collins.
Looking at the rest of the team, however, it really could change dramatically from the first two games with a lot of tired bodies coming out of the two demoralising defeats.
The manager said that there are doubts over some players and there is every chance that Enda Stevens, Jeff Hendrick, Callum Robinson and Chiedozie Ogbene could need a night off.
James McClean or Ryan Manning are both in contention for the left wingback position, and while Cyrus Christie appeared to slot in well at right wingback, the manager was bemoaning Matt Doherty’s absence and his vital role as a playmaker. Alan Browne may be looked at in that role.
Could Kenny be tempted to throw some real raw talent into the mix? Could Festy Obosele make his international debut?
Kenny’s emphasis on controlling the play through possession is not open for negotiation according to the manager, however, he did admit that the tactics would have to change.
And while he believes that his three-man attacking unit has worked well in recent games, he must be looking at a more traditional approach to the centre-forward positions - the manager started both games without a natural centre-forward and said he liked the balance between Ogbene, Robinson and Knight and thought they worked well together.
Will Keane and Scott Hogan will be desperate to get a real chance of leading the line and there is a strong argument for playing one or even both to see how they can make Ireland more productive and potent in that final third.
Likewise, Michael Obafemi’s energy and experience in that striker’s role was immediately evident and effective when he came on against Ukraine, and he must also be a strong contender to start against the Scots.
Likewise, in midfield, Jayson Molumby and Conor Hourihane will be in contention, while Jason Knight might be asked to play a more central role should the manager play around with the formation and opt for a 3-4-1-2 or 3-4-2-1.
Whatever eleven are sent out to start, there will be a real cry for composure and creativity going forward as Ireland will really need to create some clear-cut chances to get back to scoring goals and securing valuable points.
The last two games have brought back the grim early days of the Kenny era, combined with the fact that it is another Nations League campaign offering little other than revealing the squad’s flaws.
Kenny’s motivational video backfired in Wembley Stadium ahead of the game, however, a similar montage of the team’s good play and goalscoring form from the latter part of 2021 may have the desired effect to restore a modicum of normality before breaking for the summer.
Follow Republic of Ireland v Scotland (Saturday, 5pm) via our live blog on rte.ie/sport or on the RTÉ News app. Watch live coverage on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player commencing at 4.15pm, with live radio coverage on RTÉ Radio 1's Saturday Sport.
Follow Italy U21s v Republic of Ireland U21s (Tuesday, 5pm) via our live blog on rte.ie/sport or on the RTÉ News app. Watch live coverage on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player commencing at 4.30pm
Follow Ukraine v Republic of Ireland (Tuesday, 7.45pm) via our live blog on rte.ie/sport or on the RTÉ News app. Watch live coverage on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player commencing at 7pm
