'Too derogatory' - O'Shea wants better support for Irish players

Assistant head coach John O'Shea says the narrative around the Republic of Ireland is "too derogatory" as he called for better support for the players tasked with reversing the team's fortunes.

The Irish national side travel to Finland and Greece in the Nations League this week after losing new boss Heimir Hallgrimsson's first two games in charge to England and the Greeks in September.

Stretching back to the end of the Euro 2024 qualifiers, the Republic of Ireland have lost their last three competitive games - and eight out of the last 10 - leading to established players like Matt Doherty and Callum Robinson losing their place in the squad.

When asked about the Republic of Ireland's apparent lack of depth in midfield, O'Shea said: "I think we need to get away from that negative aspect of positions in the team and the squad and players.

"The dedication and sacrifice that every player, and the level these players are playing at, is sometimes forgotten about.

"They are really good players, playing at a really good level, and it's, not a nonsense, but we're too derogatory towards these players because they're really good players playing at a really good level.

"They're showing dedication that they want to come and play for Ireland so I think we should be getting behind them a bit more."

Having fallen to England and Greece at home last month, former Iceland boss Hallgrimsson is hoping to avoid becoming the first Republic of Ireland manager to lose his first three games in charge.

In addition to Doherty and Robinson, Hallgrimsson also cut Everton defender Jake O'Brien and Sunderland midfielder Alan Browne from his squad while handing a first call-up to Luton Town defender Mark McGuinness.

And while O'Shea insists there remains an emphasis on delivering positive results, the desire to see "new combinations" was a factor in squad selection for this month's window.

"We are fully focused on getting good results against Finland and Greece," added the former Manchester United defender, who was interim boss for four games before Hallgrimsson's appointment in July.

"You could say it is brave [to leave out established players] but it is a development in terms of what we're looking for the group. We need to get a competitive, settled squad, but also knowing there is an option there to take it, can you take it?” O’Shea said.

“The balance needs to be struck over the next couple of games in particular. But then, when you see the [World Cup] draw, we know we have a healthy, competitive squad that leads to us being competitive in qualifying."

O'Shea was speaking to reporters alongside Brighton striker Evan Ferguson, who was coy when asked if he was fit enough to play 90 minutes in the next two games.

The 19-year-old was used off the bench against England and Greece and has started only one game for the Seagulls this season - against Wolves in the EFL Cup - after an ankle injury forced him to miss the end of the 2023-24 campaign.

"We'll have to wait and see. I feel good," said Ferguson, who has three goals in 14 caps.

"I've been back in now full-time for a month or two now so I feel good and we'll have to wait and see."