The presence of more goalkeepers than strikers in Ireland's squad for the game against Austria earlier this month rightly had fans worried.
The injuries to Shane Long and Daryl Murphy showed a real lack of depth from at the position. Despite the bereftness of options, Martin O'Neill's side still left Vienna with three points.
Sitting pretty on top of Group D, two points ahead of Serbia and four ahead of next opponents Wales, O'Neill is not getting complacent.
Speaking at the launch of the Dublin logo for Euro 2020, O'Neill addressed the issue of Scott Hogan. There was a hope that the prolific Brentford striker - who has spoken positively in the past about the possibility of playing for Ireland - would be called up for the game against Austria. That did not happen. The 24-year-old is concentrating on his club career at the moment having only returned to action earlier this year after 18 months out with knee injuries.
O'Neill spoke to Hogan's agent a few months back and sounded positive at the time about the prospects of him declaring for Ireland.
Yesterday, O'Neill said that he is again looking to have a few words with the player and his agent. The pursuit of Hogan certainly sounds like it's picking up pace.
I’d hope to speak to the agent and speak to him. I’d follow it up so the next time you speak to me, I’ll definitely have done it. We definitely need someone who can score goals regularly and I think he can do that. His work in the penalty box, he can take chances, there is no question about that.
