Oct 11,2024
Heimir Hallgrimsson has made four changes for tonight's clash at the Olympic Stadium in Helsinki with Finn Azaz, Evan Ferguson, Liam Scales and Josh Cullen coming into the starting eleven as Ireland take on Finland.
Middlesbrough man, Azaz, impressed the manager with his recent club form, as he returned to the squad for the October double header and he has gone straight into the starting XI.
Ferguson, on the other hand, has not seen much action at Brighton, however, the manager has evidently seen enough at training to send him in to start up front in tonight's clash.
It remains to be seen if Hallgrimsson has returned to a three-man defence as he has selected Liam Scales and Robbie Brady, which suggests that the Celtic man will sit in with captain Nathan Collins and Dara O'Shea.
That would leave Chiedozie Ogbene or Jason Knight being tasked with playing the right wing-back role, depending on the formation that the manager has gone with.
Should the manager maintain a flat-back four, once again, he will again utilise one of his centre-halves as a full back, with O'Shea potentially sitting in at right back.
Either way, Josh Cullen returns to the centre of midfield having missed the September games and he will play alongside and Azaz, while Sammie Szmodics will link up with Ferguson up front.
As expected, Caoimhin Kelleher maintains his place in goal for this Nations League encounter.
Republic of Ireland: Caoimhin Kelleher; Nathan Collins (capt), Dara O'Shea, Liam Scales; Robbie Brady, Josh Cullen, Jason Knight, Chiedozie Ogbene, Finn Azaz; Sammie Szmodics, Evan Ferguson
