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Ireland Player Ratings As Late Moment Of Madness Costs Kenny's Men In Scotland

Ireland Player Ratings As Late Moment Of Madness Costs Kenny's Men In Scotland
Gary Connaughton
By Gary Connaughton
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Scotland 2-1 Ireland.

For much of Ireland's game against Scotland, it looked as though they were on course for a big result.

John Egan gave Kenny's men the lead in the first half, and while the hosts would equalise and apply some pressure after the interval, the Irish continued to look dangerous in attack.

However, a late penalty conceded by Alan Browne would prove to be the difference between the sides.

Here's how we rated the performances on the night.

Ireland player ratings vs Scotland

Gavin Bazunu - 7

Bazunu was completely untested in the first half, not being asked to make a single save. The Southampton man did show an excellent rang of passing.

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He had no chance for the Scottish equaliser. The goalkeeper made a good stop from a Ryan Fraser effort, while saving the penalty was always going to be a difficult task.

 

Nathan Collins - 8

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Looking incredibly solid at the back, Collins would also play a part in the opening goal by squaring the ball to Egan before his brilliant strike. His dribbling escapades were a sight to behold at times.

The Wolves man was asked to do a bit more defending in the second half, making a couple of big interventions during dangerous moments. He already looks like Ireland's best player. A real star in the making.

 

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John Egan - 7

John Egan showed incredible instinct in the opposition penalty area to score the opening goal, swivelling with his back to the goal and finishing brilliantly into the bottom corner.

The Irish captain would perhaps be a bit disappointed that he lost his man for the equaliser. He defended well under pressure.

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Dara O'Shea - 7

Selected ahead of Shane Duffy, O'Shea gave some clue as to why that was the case early on with some brilliant pieces of play in possession. He wasn't afraid to step out of the defence to put pressure on the ball, making some nice interventions to break up opposition attacks.

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It was an excellent performance from the West Brom who more than justified the decision to start him. He will be hard to oust from the team.

 

Matt Doherty - 5

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Looking to push forward down the right flank when Ireland were in possession, Doherty was always an outlet when playing out. However, he did not really have the impact you would have hoped on the game.

The defender probably should have done better for Scotland's opener, being beaten too easily by Ryan Christie down the right. His lack of playing time this season was seemingly catching up with him. He made one brilliant goal line clearance, but he was lacking that bit of sharpness.

 

James McClean - 7

McClean brought plenty o intensity in the opening stages, although he did not get involved in the general play high up the pitch as much as he would have liked. In saying that, his set-piece delivery was a real problem for the Scots.

The Wigan man only improved as the game went on, also defending brilliantly down the left when called upon. His put in a couple of fantastic crosses that were unfortunate not to find their target.

 

Josh Cullen - 6

Cullen did much of the unsung hard work in the first 45 minutes, covering a serious amount of ground in order to cover the gaps in the middle third. He was perhaps a tad fortunate to stay on the pitch just before halftime, getting a yellow card for kicking the ball away and then taking down an opposition player a few moments later.

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Not quite at the level we have become accustomed to seeing from him in an Ireland shirt, especially in the second half.

 

Jason Knight - 7

Struggled to get involved in the play early in the game, especially in possession. However, there was no doubting his work rate as Knight was relentless in his pressing.

The energy he bring to the team is remarkable, although it would have been nice to see more from him on the ball.

 

Jayson Molumby - 8

Showed great initiative in the buildup to the opening goal, keeping the move alive when it looked as though Scotland were about to counterattack after McClean's corner.

Molumby was the best of Ireland's three midfielders throughout the game, both on and off the ball. A brilliant performance and it was noticeable how the team looked less cohesive after he came off.

 

Troy Parrott - 6

Showed incredible composure to fire home early on, although the goal was rightly ruled out for offside. Parrott's movement was excellent in the first half, causing the opposition defence plenty of problems with his runs in behind and down the flanks.

He had a golden opportunity to give Ireland the lead in the second half, but he could not finish from the one-on-one. He played well, but his end product let him down.

 

Michael Obafemi - 7

Struggled to make the ball stick up front in the opening exchanges, although he did then grow into the game. Obafemi looked dangerous whenever he ran at the Scottish defence.

His break for Parrott's chance in the second half was brilliant, although his partner could not convert after receiving a brilliant pass. It was a surprise to see him taken off on the hour mark.

 

Substitutes

Chiedozie Ogbene - 7

Replacing Obafemi after an hour, Ogbene looked like a real threat right from the time he was introduced. He could have done real damage if he had received slightly better service.

 

Seamus Coleman - 6

Coleman had an early chance to give Ireland the lead after coming on, but it was dealt with the the Scottish defence.

 

Callum Robinson - 5 

Had little impact after coming on.

 

Alan Browne - 4

Gave away the penalty after coming on, inexplicably throwing his hands into the air from while defending a corner. Lacked a bit in possession as well.

 

Robbie Brady - N/A

Not on long enough to rate.

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