The Republic of Ireland will take a cautious ‘wait and see’ approach over Evan Ferguson’s availability for Sunday’s World Cup qualifier against Hungary after the Roma striker missed Thursday’s home game with Portugal due to an ankle problem.
Celtic forward Johnny Kenny was called into the squad on Monday as cover for Ferguson. The 22-year-old has impressed under interim Celtic manager Martin O’Neill, scoring four goals for his club, while Ferguson has already contributed three of Ireland’s four qualifying goals. Ferguson will continue his rehabilitation in the hope he can return for the second match of the international window.
Heimir Hallgrímsson’s side sit third in Group F, six points behind leaders Portugal and one point behind Hungary. Assistant head coach John O’Shea said the Portugal fixture arrived quickly and that the staff always expected Ferguson’s status to be finely balanced.
‘Let’s wait and see,’ O’Shea said. ‘We were hopeful for both games but the Portugal one is coming round too quick.’ He also praised Kenny’s confidence and O’Neill’s willingness to give young players opportunities: ‘If Johnny’s doing everything right in training and getting the chance to show it in the games, it’s brilliant to see. He’s clearly in good form.’
Ireland’s campaign so far includes a draw with Hungary, an away defeat to Armenia, a stoppage-time loss in Portugal and a home win over Armenia. O’Shea described conceding to Rúben Neves in stoppage time in Portugal as ‘gut-wrenching,’ but said there were encouraging aspects to take from the performance.
‘I thought the team as a unit and the defence in particular did brilliantly in the duels and the crosses that we had to deal with,’ he said. He also highlighted the potential influence of the Aviva Stadium crowd: ‘They have a massive effect on how we perform and the energy they can give us, but we have to help them with that, we have to give them something to cheer about.’
O’Shea said the focus for the Portugal game was clear: be tight, aggressive, deal with crosses and maintain discipline and concentration against a very attack-minded side. He described the fixture as ‘a massive game’ and the type of challenge that makes international football memorable.
Hibernian midfielder Jamie McGrath was added to the squad, replacing Bristol City’s Mark Sykes, who suffered a gash to his leg during Bristol’s 1-0 defeat by Blackburn Rovers. McGrath last appeared as a substitute in the 2-1 win at Finland in October 2024.
Updated Republic of Ireland squad
Goalkeepers: Caoimhín Kelleher (Brentford), Gavin Bazunu (Southampton), Mark Travers (Everton)
Defenders: Seamus Coleman (Everton), Jake O’Brien (Everton), Dara O’Shea (Ipswich Town), Nathan Collins (Brentford), Liam Scales (Celtic), John Egan (Hull City), Ryan Manning (Southampton), Jimmy Dunne (Queens Park Rangers), Kevin O’Toole (New York City)
Midfielders: Josh Cullen (Burnley), Jack Taylor (Ipswich Town), Jayson Molumby (West Bromwich Albion), Finn Azaz (Southampton), Conor Coventry (Charlton Athletic), Jamie McGrath (Hibernian), Andrew Moran (Los Angeles FC)
Attackers: Troy Parrott (AZ Alkmaar), Adam Idah (Swansea City), Mikey Johnston (West Bromwich Albion), Chiedozie Ogbene (Sheffield United), Festy Ebosele (Istanbul Basaksehir), Johnny Kenny (Celtic)