Ireland will face North Macedonia on Tuesday in what is likely to be the most depressing fixture for Irish fans in recent memory.

Many would have bought tickets for this game hoping to see a potential World Cup play-off. However, the defeat in Prague last week means that they will be treated to an altogether less significant occasion.

That is something that Heimir Hallgrimsson will consider when it comes to his team selection, with plenty of changes likely. With future campaigns in mind, here is the Ireland XI we would like to see for the game.

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Ireland team we want vs North Macedonia
GK: Caoimhín Kelleher

While Mark Travers could well get a run out in this game, sticking with Caoimhín Kelleher makes sense for a bit of added stability in what is likely to be a much-changed side.

RWB: Alan Browne

Ireland need to consider their next steps at right wingback, with Seamus Coleman’s international career unlikely to carry on for much longer. Matt Doherty is also getting up there in age and has fallen out of favour under the current manager.

Alan Browne has played this role frequently at club level down through the years, including during his brilliant recent run of form at Middlesbrough. They should take a look at him in this role with the Nations League campaign later this year in mind.

CB: James Abankwah

James Abankwah will surely be given an Ireland debut in this game, having been in and around the squad for quite some time.

We would throw him in right from the start, with some of the first choice centre backs being rested after their heavy work load at club level in recent times.

CB: Nathan Collins

Much like the Kelleher inclusion, Collins may continue in the side to offer some sort of continuity at the back.

The Kildare man also has less mileage on the legs compared to Dara O’Shea and Jake O’Brien in recent weeks due to his spell out of the Brentford team.

CB: Liam Scales

Having missed out in Prague due to suspension, you would expect Liam Scales to get a run out against North Macedonia.

It remains to be seen whether it will come at centre back or left wingback, although we have plumped for the former.

LWB: Robbie Brady

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Robbie Brady will be keen to get more minutes in the legs after receiving significant playing time in Prague, meaning he could play another hour or so on Tuesday evening.

The Preston man will be looking to nail down this position in the team ahead of the Nations League campaign.

CM: Finn Azaz

While he normally plays elsewhere for Ireland, we would be keen to get a look at Finn Azaz in a central midfield role in this game.

The Southampton man has performed well in that role during the brief stints he has had there at international level, most notably late on in the comeback in Budapest. Azaz offers the ability on the ball that Ireland so often lack in the middle third and is worth trying out in a fixture such as this.

Bosun Lawal will surely play some part in the game, although his fitness issues mean a starting role is unlikely.

CM: Jason Knight

It was a surprise to see Jason Knight left on the bench for the entire 120 minutes in Prague, meaning some significant minutes in this game are likely to be on the agenda.

FW: Harvey Vale

Let’s take a look at him.

Harvey Vale made his international debut with a late cameo in Prague, although he did not have much time to influence the game. The QPR man looks like an incredibly tidy player and it would be interesting to see how he could potentially link up with Troy Parrott in the final third.

 

FW: Johnny Kenny

Chiedozie Ogbene will likely see his minutes managed after a titanic effort against Czechia, while Ireland will also be without Sammie Szmodics for this game due to his injury.

Playing Johnny Kenny in a role just off the front man could be worth a look, especially when you consider that he is one of the few players in the squad with genuine running power.

ST: Troy Parrott

Troy Parrott has played a lot of minutes this season, but we would like to see him continue in the Ireland team. It is easy to forget that he has not played all that often in that starting role for Ireland, a position he now looks set to occupy for the coming years.

Who will play around him remains to be seen, but we would let Parrott continue the momentum he has built in an Ireland shirt in recent months in this one.

 

The Team In Full

This team would represent seven changes to the side that started in Prague on Thursday, the type of turnaround that would not be unexpected considering the status of the fixture against North Macedonia.

With the World Cup campaign in the rearview mirror, a team such as this could be selected with an eye towards the Nations League and Euro 2028.

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