Republic of Ireland goal-scorers Mikey Johnston and Callum Robinson have both voiced their support for under-fire manager Stephen Kenny after their 4-0 Euro 2024 qualifier win over Gibraltar.
Johnston and Robinson rounded off the scoring in both halves with Evan Ferguson and Matt Doherty also on target in a routine win in Faro, and the duo both said that they wanted to perform for Kenny, who has faced serious criticism for the side's disappointing qualifying campaign.
With just a game away to the Netherlands to come in November, Ireland picked up just their second win with the first coming against the same opposition.
"The manager obviously cares so much, he puts everything into this," Johnston said having collected the Player of the Match award.
"We definitely want to get behind him, obviously results haven’t went our way all the time but we’re trying to play the right way.
"It’s not coming off at the moment but hopefully we can turn it around."
It was a sentiment backed up by Robinson who headed home late on, the goal awarded after a lengthy VAR check.
"He’s been great. Personally, I can only speak for myself, he has been great with me and with the boys," he said.
Callum Robinson reflects on a 4-0 win over Gibraltar and his first Ireland goal since November of last year.#COYBIG pic.twitter.com/aTkzlufCFR
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) October 16, 2023
"Obviously I know some results haven’t been good enough and sometimes the players have to take responsibility as well.
"Personally, he has been great with me and he put me back in the squad. I haven’t played much club football, (that’s) down to getting my fitness (back). He trusts me and put me back in the squad and obviously I repaid him getting a goal tonight."
Robinson also praised the continued development of fellow attacker Ferguson who opened the scoring in the eighth minute after meeting Doherty’s low cross following a dart to the near post.
"We knew an early goal would always help and 'Evo’, he’s obviously got so much potential and he’s still got so much learning to do.
"That’s another international goal for him, obviously in the season for him he’ll be wanting to keep scoring goals club wise and for the country so I think he’s in a good place at the moment."
Robinson took his own international tally to nine goals as he grabbed his first since last year’s winner in the friendly win over Malta and he said it was a real boost after a year disrupted by hamstring issues.
"Personally I’m really happy to be back in the squad. Injuries come with the game and it’s been a frustrating seven, eight months for me, but really happy to be back with the boys."
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