Republic of Ireland v Portugal - Thursday, 13th November - 2026 World Cup Qualifier

[elatedscum]

Certainly left field. Its madness really that our lack of a left back as come to this. Its not like we havent seen this coming down the tracks for years

Bring back James McClean

[Grafter]

Bring back James McClean

I take it you're being facetious, sure didn't he have some words about the regime in September?

[backstothewall]

Certainly left field. Its madness really that our lack of a left back as come to this. Its not like we havent seen this coming down the tracks for years

A rabbit has been pulled out of a hat to a certain extent with O'Toole. He's playing regularly in MLS which is probably a higher level than I anticipated we would end up picking a right back from (League 1).

But given the likelyhood that we would face this slection crunch at left back it's madness that he's not been capped before now. In an ideal world he would have spent a window with the squad without playing, then come back for a second window and made his international debut in a friendly or getting 10 minutes at the end of a Nations League. Instead of that he'll be expected to take a transatlantic flight, overcome any jet lag, train with the squad for 2 or 3 days and somehow get up to speed with how we play, then presumably play 90 minutes of a World Cup qualifier up against Bernardo Silva?

Is there any other option at left back for that game? I can't see any in that squad.

The FAI need to explain when they became aware of his eligibility and when he became available for selection (post any paperwork with FIFA if that was necessary).