Chiedozie Ogbene has admitted he feels sorry for Stephen Kenny, the under-fire Republic of Ireland supervisor, after their lingering hopes of Euro 2024 qualification had been lastly dashed.
Kenny’s reign seemingly reached the purpose of no return on Friday night time when a 2-0 residence defeat by Greece left his group with simply three factors from a attainable 18 in Group B and mathematically unable to clinch a spot within the prime two. Eire head for Gibraltar on Monday night with solely pleasure at stake and, whereas Kenny obtained assurances final week that he would stay in cost till after subsequent month’s fixtures, discontent with the course of journey underneath his cost has reached fever pitch.
Requested in regards to the supervisor’s future, the Luton striker Ogbene mirrored on early possibilities which went begging and mentioned: “Had we scored these possibilities, then the sport could be totally different. We’d have been 2-0 up. However we didn’t take these possibilities and a constructive begin finally ends up negatively. I really really feel sorry for the supervisor. We weren’t sharp in our decision-making and total it’s disappointing, the outcome.”
Kenny took over from Mick McCarthy in April 2020 and vowed to shake up the squad he inherited. He has since blooded a brand new era of younger gamers and tried to implement a extra progressive model of soccer. Sadly for him, potential has not yielded outcomes and his group have gained simply 5 of the 27 aggressive video games they’ve performed. 4 of these victories have come towards lower-ranked sides – Azerbaijan, Luxembourg, Armenia and Gibraltar – with a Nations League success towards Scotland the exception.
Qualification from a bunch which additionally contains the World Cup runners-up, France, and the Netherlands was all the time an enormous activity, however 5 defeats in six video games inform their very own story. Even a good-looking victory over Gibraltar in Faro would do little to quell the negativity surrounding Kenny’s reign, however the Celtic defender Liam Scales, who made his senior worldwide debut towards Greece, insists there can be no scarcity of motivation.
“Look, it’s by no means arduous to raise your self to play in your nation,” mentioned Scales. “Clearly I’ve solely executed it as soon as, however the lads will let you know that it’s one of the best factor you are able to do as a footballer. As gamers, we’ll be motivated to go there and placed on a efficiency. As upset as we’re, it’s taking part in for the jersey now.
“Clearly qualification is finished and that’s that. However we’re taking part in for the jersey and pleasure now. We’re all proud to be carrying the jersey and we’ll go to Gibraltar, hopefully get a outcome and do higher.”
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Kenny was eager to steer post-match dialogue away from his tenure on Friday night time, however mentioned: “In the end after all we’re upset. We knew it was a bunch of loss of life, robust video games. France, Holland, actually robust. We had epic video games towards each of them. You shouldn’t be dropping at residence to Greece. They’re an excellent group, higher than individuals assume they’re, technically excellent with good qualities. We wanted to win tonight, I do know that.”
