One of the most notable aspects of the Ireland football team's victory over Gibraltar last night was the influence that the team's wingers had on the game.
For the last number of years, the Ireland football squad has been lacking consistent players in that position.
That is something that is sure to have played a part in Stephen Kenny's decision to move to a three-man defence, using wingbacks in order to combat the lack of wide players available to him.
With the team having switched to 4-3-3 for last night's fixture, it was interesting to see how involved Chiedozie Ogbene and Mikey Johnston were in the game. While admittedly playing against very poor opposition, every Irish attack seemed to go through one of those two players.
Stephen Kenny has always been keen to utilise wingers in his teams, something he felt he could not do with the Ireland football team until he had both Johnston and Ogbene available to him. As it turns out, another option is likely to come into the fold soon.
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A mystery winger about to declare for the Ireland Football Team?
Speaking after last night's win over Gibraltar, Kenny revealed that a Championship winger is set to declare for Ireland (h/t Irish Independent).
I’ve always liked wing play and wingers, there has been an absence of that. Some of my early days, we’ve tried to do it, players that gave everything were mainly playing in League 1 at the time.
We’ve had Chiedozie coming on the scene and doing brilliant. Mikey Johnston, he needs games. The tempo of that game (Gibraltar) isn’t Greece and Holland. He is a talent, he will be a good player for Ireland. We’ve another winger due to declare. I’m not sure the paperwork is done yet. He’s playing in the Championship...
4-3-3 is the system I’ve coached the majority of my life, I know it best, getting the wide players has been a real issue for us.
Unfortunately, he gave no hint relating to the identity the player in question other than the league he plays in.
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The player in question: Kasey McAteer
On Tuesday evening, Dan McDonnell in the Irish Independent revealed the played in question is Leicester City's Kasey McAteer.
McAteer will be a hugely exciting addition. At just 21 years old, he has been tearing it up for Leicester City in the Championship this season with four goals in seven appearances. He also scored against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup.
Scoring in front of the Kop end at Anfield is something you dream of as a kid. Unbelievable feeling to make that turn into a reality.
The result wasn’t meant to be but our heads can be held high. Thank you to all the fans who made the journey💙 pic.twitter.com/eheTy3ce1m— Kasey McAteer (@kasey_mcateer) September 27, 2023
A Northampton native, he has not been capped by England at youth level. He is thought to be eligible for Ireland. McAteer is also currently nursing a hamstring injury and is expected to be out for another month.
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