Scotland v Ireland - Saturday 24 September

I'd guess retaining the same midfield vs Scotland again is the most likely scenario and I'd fully expect Hendrick to then start vs Armenia.

Just to pick up on these points from a couple of days ago:

John Nice wrote: Yeah, I'm not sure how Brady has proved himself, if O'Dowda hasnt -

Brady has started 9 games, completed 6 full 90's, and not got injured.

O'Dowda only completed 2 full 90's and got injured on his 6th start, missing the following 2 games. That's not a good sign.

I'm not privy to the details re Crawford's alleged spat with Festy - so I wont comment further on that other than to say it's disappointing, but Festy should 100% be with the U21s - he doesnt deserve a spot in the senior squad on merit, off the back of a few starts in the Championship for Derby last campaign. The U21 games are potentially momentous and qualification would be a great boost for all of our young players - if lads are not likely to play the senior games then they should be considered for the U21 panel in my opinion - that includes Ebosele, Connolly and perhaps even Omabamidele. Spats should be resolved.

Festy played 37 games for Derby last season - 20 of them were starts. (& now 1 Serie A appearance)

For comparison:

Omobamidele got called up off the back of 8 starts in the Champ.

Idah to this day has only started 12 games for Norwich (& you were arguing he should start for Ireland).

Kelleher still only has 15 or so starts.

Parrott had barely played any senior football & was called up by both by McCarthy & Kenny (& has been a constant in Kenny's squads).

Bazunu had 28 starts for a Rochdale side that got relegated from League 1.

O'Shea had 16 Champ starts & 4 PL starts (& 26 League 2 starts) before his Ireland debut.

Knight had about 25-30 starts for Derby

Molumby had 35 starts for Millwall.

Senior injuries/Covid were a large factor in most of those lads getting called up too. Festy has done more than most of them, & about the same amount as O'Shea, Molumby & Knight. And he is considered a "High Potential Player" by the Ireland setup.

If we're talking "merit", he certainly has that (particularly considering the unknown status of Doherty & Coleman's fitness).

Wing back?

Scales called up

Lenihan is injured - Luckily it is an area of the pitch where we have reasonable options. Presumably it's Collins, Egan and either Duffy or O'Shea. Surprised it wasnt Manning called up I know he's not exactly a CB, but he can play there. He must really not have impressed in previous camps. Pleased for Sclaes though, Aberdeen fans seem impressed albeit before his red at the weekend, but he struggled a bit at Celtic, so nice for him personally to get the call.

Afaik Lenihan is injured

Ah come in, I dont think it's that egregious a decision. It's not like Kenny hasnt had a look at Dunne (and Manning), he has been over in previous squads. Scales is having a very good season at Aberdeen by all accounts and clearly Kenny rates him. Dunne is 5 odd years younger than the likes of Duffy, Lenihan and Egan, so he just needs to keep the head down and keep improving, his chance will come yet, ditto Manning, who has a 33yo Mc Clean and an injury probe Brady ahead of him. I have no dog in this fight, maybe Scales ability to also play as a LWB also had a role to play in the decision. I'd imagine as a border county man myself that there's also a fair chance that  a young lad growing up in Dundalk like, Dunne doesnt really want to play for the North.