AARON Connolly believes critics of Stephen Kenny will be forced to eat his words when he offered enthusiastic endorsement of the Ireland coach’s credentials ahead of the European Championship play-off match in Slovakia on Thursday.
At an EA Sports event to release the new FIFA 2021 game exclusively to Independent.ie, Brighton forward Connolly suggested that snipers of former Ireland players like Jason McAteer questioning Kenny’s credentials to be Ireland’s boss are out of place.
McAteer expressed his belief that veteran Ireland players may question whether Kenny could shine in the Ireland job after admitting he was unimpressed with Brian Kerr’s “ basic ” methods as he tried to make the jump from the under-team. Ireland to the senior team during his playing days. .
Having worked with the former Dundalk boss in the Ireland Under-21 setup for the past several years, Connolly is perfectly positioned to offer a first-hand judgment on Kenny and suggests that skeptics should give the new Ireland boss a chance to prove his worth.
“I wouldn’t listen too much to someone like Jason McAteer when he questions Stephen Kenny,” said the 20-year-old forward, who started Kenny’s first two games as Ireland’s head coach last month.
“As a former Ireland player, you’d think you’d know who Stephen is and what he’s accomplished, but none of us really bother what people say about the coach.
“Those of us who have worked with him know how good he is as a coach. Everyone on this team supports Stephen one hundred percent and from personal experience I have always enjoyed playing with him.
“He is a brilliant coach and a great strategist. You are always fully aware of what your job is and what the opposition is about when you go out on the field and he is very informed about each player he brings to the squad.
“Having a manager who speaks honestly and knows what your strengths and weaknesses are is refreshing. It means he knows what you can improve and what is expected of you.
“Stephen did an amazing job at Dundalk, we had great results and performances during his time with the U21s and he earned this opportunity to take over the senior team.
“Now it’s up to the players to do everything they can to make this a successful period for Stephen and the senior team and that means qualifying for the big tournaments.”
Kenny’s enthusiasm for embracing the young was evident in his first two games as Ireland’s manager, with Connolly, Adam Idah and Jayson Molumby having a chance to shine at the senior level in their first two games at the helm against Bulgaria and Finland. last month.
Connolly suggests that the shift in philosophy to a more progressive style of play will take time to develop, and the lack of time to work with his players on the training ground will challenge the new man in command.
“Stephen was only with the team for a few days before the Bulgaria game and you could see immediately that we had a different approach,” continues Connolly.
“We were playing better football, putting the ball on the ground and trying to build from behind. That’s how a lot of the guys on the team play for their clubs in England, so it’s better for us if we play the same way with Ireland. .
“This is refreshing for all of us and we all support the way the coach wants us to play 100 percent.”
“Another day, we won the game against Bulgaria and Finland and nobody asks questions, but now it’s about Thursday night and winning this play-off game in Slovakia.”
Connolly received treatment from Ireland’s medical staff after arriving at the team hotel after being hit playing for Brighton, but is hopeful of being fit for the game in Bratislava and admits that the prospect of playing in a major tournament made him full of emotion. .
“I remember watching the final of Euro 2016 and when Robbie Brady scored that goal against Italy, the whole country went crazy,” he added.
“That is what these great tournaments can do for the nation and that is why we are all so desperate to be a part of them. To have the opportunity to participate in a tournament like that and maybe create a similar moment would be special.” Hopefully we can give ourselves a chance to do it by winning Thursday. “
FIFA 21 is available this Friday, October 9 for PlayStation®4, Xbox One, PC via Origin ™ and Steam plus Nintendo Switch.
