Temporary Ireland boss John O'Shea has said he hopes to have some idea of where he stands regarding the Ireland job very soon.
O'Shea has stepped in to help the Ireland team while the search for a new boss continues. The Boys in Green have been without a manager since the departure of Stephen Kenny in November.
Many people are not happy with how slow the process of finding a new Ireland boss is, and O'Shea has become the latest voice calling for a sense of urgency.
O'Shea may get the Ireland job full-time; nothing is ruled out just yet, but regardless, the Waterford native is keen to know more about his Ireland future after this coming week.
"Let’s hope so," said O’Shea when a question about clarity was put to him on Monday.
"I think everyone, including myself, the staff, and the players, would like clarity on it."
Ireland plays Hungary on Tuesday in the first of the friendlies this week. O'Shea recognises the test the Hungarians will present this Tuesday.
Interim head coach John O'Shea during a Republic of Ireland squad announcement at Sky Ireland in Dublin. (Photo By Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)"They have qualified for the Euros, and the mixture in their squad in terms of younger talented players, some in the Premier League that we would know about, and different players around Europe, as well as the run of form that they are on and the teams they have faced," he added.
"So we know it’s a good test for us, a really good test for us, and one the players and the staff are looking forward to."
On the injury front, Ireland will be without defender Andrew Omobamidele, but on the contrary, there will also be a chance for Celtic’s Bosun Lawal to impress.
"Unfortunately, we lost Andrew Omobamidele," said O’Shea. "He got a little nick on his hamstring, so that was unfortunate.
"He has had a decent enough season with Nottingham Forest, established himself for a good bit, and then was out of the team a little bit towards the end of the season. But he was one we were potentially looking to get some game time into over the next two games.
"Because Bosun is involved in training with us, he’ll come into the matchday squad. He has done very well at training; he’s settled in well, so he’ll be in the matchday squad tomorrow."
Tickets for the match against Hungary on Tuesday, June 4, with kick-off at 7.45 , are on sale through Ticketmaster, with prices starting from just €30 as Ireland face their final home match before the UEFA Nations League campaign kicks-off in September. Tickets are available to purchase here: https://www.ticketmaster.ie/international-friendly-republic-of-ireland-v-dublin-04-06-2024/event/1800608F9BB1581F
Republic of Ireland Squad: Hungary/Portugal
Goalkeepers: Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool), Mark Travers (AFC Bournemouth), Max O'Leary (Bristol City), David Harrington (Fleetwood Town)
Defenders: Seamus Coleman (Everton), Matt Doherty (Wolves), Shane Duffy (Norwich City), Dara O'Shea (Burnley), Jake O'Brien (Lyon), Liam Scales (Celtic), Robbie Brady (Preston North End), and Enda Stevens (Stoke City).
Midfielders: Josh Cullen (Burnley), Finn Azaz (Middlesbrough), Jason Knight (Bristol City), Jamie McGrath (Aberdeen), Callum O'Dowda (Cardiff City), Will Smallbone (Southampton), Mark Sykes (Bristol City), and Mikey Johnston (West Bromwich Albion, on loan from Celtic).
Forwards: Sammie Szmodics (Blackburn Rovers), Adam Idah (Celtic, on loan from Norwich City), Troy Parrott (Excelsior, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur), Michael Obafemi (Millwall, on loan from Burnley), Tom Cannon (Leicester City).
Fixtures: International Friends
04/06: Republic of Ireland vs. Hungary, Aviva Stadium, 7.45
11/06: Portugal vs. Republic of Ireland, Aveiro Municipal Stadium, 7.45
