Republic of Ireland interim manager Eileen Gleeson insists that her side can't take anything for granted in their Nations League double-header with Albania, two games that she believes are crucial for Ireland’s Euro 2025 hopes.
Gleeson’s side welcome Albania to a sold-out Tallaght Stadium on Friday, 27 October before travelling to Shkoder four days later for the return fixture.
Ireland currently sit atop their Nations League Group B table and have their sights firmly fixed on winning the group and with it, promotion to League A.
League A, which gets underway in April 2024, acts as the qualifying series for Euro 2025 in Switzerland with the top two teams from each of the four groups progressing automatically to the tournament.
Gleeson knows that her side are the favourites going into the double header with Albania but warned that Ireland can’t afford any slip-ups.
"The expectation is on to take six points and obviously that’s what we want to do," she said, having named her squad for the double-header.
"We’re not underestimating anything around Albania and we expect it to be very competitive. It’s up to us to make it happen and that’s really the message that we keep reinforcing.
"The importance of the Nations League in terms of qualification for 2025 is huge. That’s the message that we’re driving home with the players that this is a step forward for qualification for 2025.
"The real message is that complacency is our enemy right now and to underestimate Albania or to just expect that we’re going to get six points. We have to make it happen.
"The girls know that and understand the importance of it, and not just in the immediacy of getting six points but moving forward to the 2025 campaign."
Gleeson has been able to name a strong squad for the games with Albania, with Megan Campbell returning to the fold after missing the summer's World Cup through injury.
Campbell has recently signed with Everton and the Ireland boss is grateful to be able to call on her experience and the 30-year-old closes in on her 50th cap.
"Megan as we know has been out injured, she’s been training herself and has now signed with Everton so she’s been training at a really high level," Gleeson said.
"She’s still in a return to play process. She’s had some minutes but we feel that she can bring something to the camp with her experience. It’s beneficial to us and beneficial to her to have in with us at this point.
"We know what Megan brings, she’s comfortable on the ball, she’s got a nice left foot and you might have noticed in the last few games that we’re trying to adapt to a game where we can play out a bit more.
"Meghan is comfortable on the ball, she brings nice balance on the left so it’s definitely an outlet for us to have her there."
Sinead Farrelly is back having pulled out ahead of last window due to concerns around aggravating an injury with long-haul flight.
Gleeson explained: "The last camp obviously she had a back injury that she was managing so it was a medical issue that it wouldn’t be beneficial for her to travel on long haul.
"She’s fully recovered and we’re delighted to bring her back in."
Also included in the squad is captain Katie McCabe who was recently nominated for the Ballon D’or after leading Ireland to a first ever appearance at a World Cup while helping her club Arsenal to the semi-finals of the Champions League.
McCabe will miss the actual Ballon D’or ceremony, coming as it does on 30 October – right in the middle of the Albanian double header.
While the Irish skipper may not be on hand for the ceremony in Paris, Gleeson believes that it’s still a major moment for McCabe and for Ireland.
"It’s huge," she said. "It’s a super proud moment for her and we’re obviously really proud of her and delighted that she’s Irish.
"Katie is a world class talent, she’s playing at the highest level. She’s a key player for Arsenal, she’s a key player for Ireland, she’s our captain and it’s a huge accolade for both her and us."
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