The optimist in me feels last night's win in Plovdiv was a night where Ireland showed they are slowly evolving under Heimir Hallgrimsson.
The 2-1 victory over Bulgaria was as much about a maturing defensive unit as it was about emerging attacking options.
Whatever about our defensive solidity, even after the rocky start, it was Ireland’s attacking selection that drew the most intrigue. Hallgrimsson’s decision to start Troy Parrott up front with Finn Azaz in behind was a choice that raised eyebrows.
Evan Ferguson, for many, will be Ireland’s long-term talisman, a player to build the attack around for the next decade.
The argument against starting Ferguson is his lack of club minutes, but even so, I remain firmly of the belief that if he is Ireland’s biggest goal threat leading into the qualifiers for these big international tournaments, then he should be the focal point of the side.
Parrott did his best to challenge that notion, and deservedly so.
The Dubliner's club form for AZ Alkmaar has been excellent, and he carried that confidence into this performance.
While he didn’t get his goal, he played a crucial role in Finn Azaz’s equaliser, showing impressive composure to cushion a deft touch into Azaz’s path.
Throughout the game, Parrott moved intelligently, making runs into the channels, linking play well, and generally looking like a player comfortable at international level.
You’d be forgiven for forgetting that Parrott is still only 23. If he continues to perform like this, the conversation about Ireland’s long-term No 9 might need revisiting.
Finn Azaz is another player who justified Hallgrimsson’s faith.
Much like Parrott, he has been a standout performer at club level and last night he transferred that form seamlessly onto the international stage.
His goal was well-taken, but his all-round play was even more impressive.
There was an excellent understanding between him and Mikey Johnston, with the West Brom winger often driving through the middle and Azaz drifting wide right to balance the attack.
Johnston’s direct running remains one of Ireland’s biggest weapons, and in Azaz, he had a team-mate who could adapt to his movement.
That fluidity is something Hallgrímsson will surely look to build on.
Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the evening was how Ireland managed the game after taking the lead.
We’ve seen Matt Doherty make those runs time and time again throughout his storied career, more often than not he doesn’t get the reward that justifies those hard-to-defend darts from out wide to those central areas.
Josh Cullen’s pinpoint pass, matched by Doherty’s bravery, allowed Ireland take the lead and perhaps the most impressive aspect of the evening was how the Boys in Green managed the game after taking the lead.
The second half was not particularly entertaining, but from an Irish perspective, it was highly professional.
Bulgaria, for all their flaws, were given no encouragement. The defensive mistakes that crept into Ireland’s first half were eliminated.
The midfield trio worked diligently, snuffing out danger before it could materialise, and the backline—led by Nathan Collins—was composed and disciplined.
It wasn’t a spectacle, but Ireland strangled the game, seeing it out with a level of control that hasn’t always been a given in recent years.
While this was a night for Parrott and Azaz, the Ferguson debate isn’t going away. Despite not playing, his potential still looms large over the squad.
Ferguson remains Ireland’s most natural finisher and highest ceiling talent, and the question for Hallgrimsson is how to get the best out of him in the long run.
Perhaps the key takeaway from Parrott’s performance is that there is now genuine competition for the central striker role.
Ferguson will return to the XI sooner rather than later, but if Parrott continues to perform at club level and brings that form across while playing for Ireland, then Hallgrimsson has a welcome headache in attack—something Ireland haven’t had for a long time.
This win sets Ireland up well for the return leg in Dublin on Sunday.
The defensive structure is solid, and in attack, Parrott, Azaz and Johnston have shown promising signs of chemistry.
Whether Ferguson gets his chance from the start remains to be seen, but the attacking depth at Hallgrimsson’s disposal is a reason for optimism.
A professional and effective performance in Plovdiv with glimpses of attacking promise, Ireland’s win over Bulgaria was a step in the right direction.
Now, the challenge is to build on it.
Watch Republic of Ireland v Bulgaria in the UEFA Nations League on Sunday from 7pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app. Listen to live commentary on Radio 1 Extra
