The final double-header of Euro 2024 qualifying is upon us and the Northern Ireland squad has been unveiled to tackle those final two encounters.
To say it has not been a campaign to write home about would be an understatement.
Where there was hope when the Group H pool was first revealed, the initial excitement that Michael O’Neill could lead the nation to further glories at the quadrennial showpiece have long since evaporated.
With just six points collected – all coming against San Marino – and having suffered six defeats out of six in clashes with those above them in the standings, we are now at the end of the cycle and fighting for pride and pride alone as regards the group.
Next Friday night, Northern Ireland travel to Finland before returning to Windsor Park for the final time this year for the visit of Denmark on Monday.
Let’s not even start on the ticket prices for the latter. It’s been a running irritation and, let’s face it, the fans are all too right to voice their dismay.
The focus of this piece is on the football, and there remains hope, still, that a happy ending may be on the cards.
O’Neill’s squad featured recalls for Ciaron Brown and Paddy Lane – although touted call-ups for Kilmarnock’s Kyle Vassell and in-form Stevenage frontman Jamie Reid didn’t materialise – while Jordan Jones, after a spell away from the international panel, has now been named in successive selections.
The youngsters also retained their places, with Irish League-refined quartet Callum Marshall, Dale Taylor, Trai Hume and Brodie Spencer all staying put, while recent debutants Brad Lyons and Eoin Toal were not to be displaced.
Some considered Lane’s Portsmouth team-mate Terry Devlin and Brown’s former Oxford United colleague Gavin Whyte to be in the running, but neither ultimately made the cut.
Trevor Carson and Shayne Lavery were not named either, and nor was red-hot Linfield ace Joel Cooper in a team that had many discussing and debating.
The manager’s decisions will be proven on the pitch.
At this stage, the shackles are off which, in turn, may lead to greater freedom of expression.
Northern Ireland have not been far away in games – a fact agonisingly epitomised by five 1-0 defeats of those half a dozen zero-point returns in Group H – but a lack of firepower and, for that matter, balance has cost them dearly.
There remains a hint of the old guard, with stalwarts Jonny Evans, Josh Magennis and Conor Washington all comprised, but the next generation is right to the fore.
Paul Smyth will bid to keep his lively form up, Conor McMenamin – who netted his first goal for St Mirren in the 2-1 midweek defeat to Celtic last week – will hope for a larger presence in terms of starting games, while Dan Ballard’s injury return is a more than welcome boost.
Taking this all into account, going up against the Finns and Danes, some fearlessness and forward spirit would hardly go amiss.
After all, what is there to lose?
Featured image from Niall Carson/PA Wire.
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