Stephen Kenny has a selection dilemma in defence ahead of Saturday's trip to Glasgow, and the Ireland manager admitted that fairness is sometimes overlooked when getting the right balance for his team.
Andrew Omobamidele withdrew from the squad that will travel to face Scotland at Hampden Park in the Nations League encounter, while Matt Doherty, Seamus Coleman and Shane Duffy have all struggled for game time at the start of the season.
Doherty has started the season on the bench at Spurs following his return from an injury that ruled him out of the final weeks of the season, as well as missing out on the four games in June for his country.
Likewise, Coleman started the season coming back from injury and while he has made the bench for Everton’s most recent Premier League games, he has been limited to League Cup action for the Goodison Park club.
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Duffy was involved in three of the four international games in June, missing the final away trip to Poland to face Ukraine through suspension, and moved clubs to Fulham ahead of the new season, but he been unable to command a regular starting place at Craven Cottage.
In the absence of Coleman and Doherty for the two Ukraine games and the Scotland matches in June, Kenny turned to Alan Browne to sit in on the right side of the defence, however, it is expected that the two regular right-backs will battle it out for the starting spot on Saturday.
Duffy’s place in the team would have appeared rock solid as a result of his showing in green during the summer, most notably in the Scotland victory, however, with Nathan Collins, John Egan and Dara O’Shea all playing regularly at club level this season - and Collins’ heroics in the away game against Ukraine are still very fresh in the memory - the big Derry man must fear for his starting spot on Saturday.
"Sometimes fairness does not come into team selection," said Kenny, speaking at Tuesday’s press conference.
Granted that answer was in relation to a question about Jayson Molumby’s fine form in recent games for Ireland, but it could just be as relevant when it comes to picking his back three for the Scotland clash.
Egan also missed the away game at Ukraine, while O’Shea slotted in seamlessly, looking calm, composed and confident alongside Collins and Darragh Lenihan, however, maybe Kenny is keen to maintain Duffy’s aerial dominance against a Scotland side who were fond of working the ball in high from both flanks in the reverse fixture.
"It’s not ideal that any of the players that are not playing in their teams," said Kenny. "It is not an ideal situation, particularly over a long period of time.
"I don’t think I can come in with a consistent rule, a one size fits all rule, we have to judge each case on its merits, the individual strengths of the team, what we need.
"You wouldn’t want to go in with too many players not having played matches," he added, perhaps suggesting that he may make an exception for Duffy.
"It is a dilemma. Nothing is straightforward," said Kenny, when he was asked whether team selection will be determined by players who are playing regularly, which would be a reward for those who left their clubs to preserve their international career.
"Some of the players that are playing in the Premier League, if they drop down to the Championship, for example, they would probably play every week.
"It is a dilemma. Some players can adapt, not play for a while and then put in a big performance. Then you got to factor in the length of time, the positions, the players playing in the position they are competing with and so it is a dilemma.
"But these are issues we are not complaining about. I am delighted with the players I have at my disposal. I am delighted with the attitude of the group, individually and collectively, so it is certainly not something I am complaining about.
"It's just a challenge we've got to go and get it right for Saturday."
And going back to Molumby, the West Brom player is credited for his energetic performances in the final two games of the summer window, heavily involved in the 3-0 victory over Scotland as well as putting in a real shift in the away game with Ukraine.
"Jayson has played well this season for West Brom, he's been quite consistent so from that point of view he's got more games under his belt," said Kenny.
"He was in and out a bit last year, he's been ever present more or less this year which is good for him.
"It would be harsh if I did make that selection but I suppose there are a few players you could say that about," added Kenny, when asked whether it would be harsh to drop the Waterford man.
"Sometimes fairness does not come into team selection. You just have to do what you feel is right."
Follow the Republic of Ireland v Scotland this Saturday (kick-off 7.45pm) via our live blog on RTÉ.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app, watch live on RTÉ 2 and the RTÉ Player, or listen to national radio commentary on RTÉ Radio 1
