Republic of Ireland under-21 manager Don Givens yesterday staked his hopes on Crystal Palace striker Clinton Morrison being able to provide the attacking bite that his side have lacked in the opening half of their European Championship qualification campaign, writes Emmet Malone.
The 22-year-old striker will make his international debut this evening at Tolka Park (kickoff 7.30) where Givens admits his team simply have to beat the current group leaders who have so far only dropped two points away to Holland, while Ireland have dropped six points (losing away to Holland and Portugal).
With his players having managed only three goals between them to date, Givens knows that his new-look striking line-up of Morrison and Graham Barrett will have to make an impact.
Barry Quinn will play at right back as he has done for much of the season at Coventry, while Colin Healy will take the Dubliner's place in central midfield.
IRELAND: Murphy (Tranmere Rovers); Quinn (Coventry City), O'Brien (Newcastle United), O'Shea (Manchester United), Clarke (Stoke City); Byrne (West Ham), Healy (Celtic), O'Connor (Stoke City), Reid (Millwall); Morrison (Crystal Palace), Barrett (Arsenal).
