Ireland got to half-time of their playoff against Bulgaria ahead with victory in Plovdiv on Thursday night but Heimir Hallgrímsson knows his team can improve in Sunday's second leg.
Goals from Finn Azaz and Matt Doherty helped Ireland recover from an early scare, and they will take a 2-1 lead into the return leg in Dublin on Sunday night.
Head coach Hallgrímsson was honest in his assessment of his team's performance, admitting Ireland could have given more with their second-half performance.
It was an encouraging showing overall from Ireland but they will see Sunday's second leg as a big chance to push on a step.
With all that in mind, this is the starting XI we would plump for to get the job done in the Aviva.
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Our Ireland team to face Bulgaria in Dublin
Formation: 4-4-2
GK: Caoimhín Kelleher
Do we even need to explain this one? Caoimhín Kelleher has been a lock in goals for Ireland for some time now and could not have done much more in goals in Plovdiv. Lock.
LB: Robbie Brady
20 March 2025; Robbie Brady of Republic of Ireland during the UEFA Nations League B/C Play-off 1st Leg match between Bulgaria and Republic of Ireland at Hristo Botev Stadium in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
A battling performance in the first leg from Robbie Brady, who finished the game with his nose battered and bruised. Dictated the play down the left-hand side. He has quietly become an important cog in Hallgrímsson's system,
CB: Nathan Collins
Captain Collins displayed some remarkable nerves (or overconfidence) with his passing in Plovdiv, putting his defence under unnecessary pressure on more than one occasion. However, his defensive game remains excellent, and it would be a huge surprise were he not to captain the side on Sunday evening.
CB: Dara O'Shea
Dara O'Shea has been one of the best Irish performers in the Premier League this season, and displayed his passing acumen by repeatedly seeking incisive balls through the lines. Approaching the same 'lock' status in this team as the likes of Kelleher and Collins.
RB: Matt Doherty
We plumped for Jake O'Brien at right-back ahead of the first leg but, credit to Matt Doherty, he responded to the questions asked of him. He was the match-winner on the night and showed desire to get to the ball that has been sorely lacking in recent weeks. Looks rejuvenated of late, and it would be harsh to drop him after his showing on Thursday.
READ HERE: Match-Winner Matt Doherty Opens Up On Change In Relationship With Hallgrímsson
LM: Ryan Manning
A surprising choice on the left on Thursday, Ryan Manning proved his worth. His link-up play with Robbie Brady was impressive and his smart physicality served Ireland well as Bulgaria took a bruising second-half approach. Expect the left flank to stay the same in Dublin.
CM: Jack Taylor
20 March 2025; Jack Taylor of Republic of Ireland in action against Ilian Iliev Jr. of Bulgaria during the UEFA Nations League B/C Play-off 1st Leg match between Bulgaria and Republic of Ireland at Hristo Botev Stadium in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
The first change we've made to Thursday's team, we would slot Ipswich's Jack Taylor in for Jason Knight in midfield. Knight was largely anonymous in Plovdiv, with Taylor injecting fresh energy off the bench. Having impressed off the bench in October, Taylor has earned a shot at his first start for Ireland.
CM: Josh Cullen
The best Irish performer in the choppy second half on Thursday, Josh Cullen stands alongside Collins and Kelleher as one of the first names on this team sheet.
RM: Finn Azaz
Azaz was the best Irish player in the first leg, particularly excellent in the first half before things got more physical after the break. His stellar performances for Middlesbrough earned him his starting spot in Plovdiv, and his maiden goal in green was just rewards. No reason to believe he will lose his spot on Sunday night.
We've moved him back to Mikey Johnston's spot on the wing to accommodate a change up front.
FW: Troy Parrott
Quiet in the second half, Parrott's smart assist for Azaz before the break epitomised his subtly clever presence in the Irish attack. Though he would have hoped to do more in Plovdiv, he should hold on to his spot in the team.
FW: Adam Idah
20 March 2025; Adam Idah of Republic of Ireland before the UEFA Nations League B/C Play-off 1st Leg match between Bulgaria and Republic of Ireland at Hristo Botev Stadium in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
The final change to our Ireland team, we have Adam Idah coming in for Mikey Johnston, and switching with Azaz to start up front alongside Troy Parrott. Though the Celtic star did not see minutes in the first leg, his club form is enough to have earned him a spot in this side.
Our full Ireland team to face Bulgaria
There is a strong chance that Heimir Hallgrímsson may prefer Evan Ferguson up front to Adam Idah. He started Ferguson and Parrott up front together in Athens last year, and gave Ferguson minutes off the bench in Plovdiv. Similarly, he could move Doherty to right midfield and bring Jake O'Brien in at right-back for Mikey Johnston.
However, this is the Ireland team we believe has the best chance of getting another strong result against Bulgaria on Sunday.
Ireland face Bulgaria on Sunday March 23rd in the Aviva Stadium. Kick-off is at 7:45pm, live on RTÉ 2.
SEE ALSO: Hallgrímsson Again Praises Irish Fans After Huge Turnout In Plovdiv
