Credit: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Normally people get thrown out of stadiums when they fail to have accreditation, however, Conor and I somehow managed to get thrown into one by the Bulgarian Police. Check out our Pre-Game on YouTube for an explanation!
WATCH HERE: IRELAND VS BULGARIA 1ST LEG PRE-MATCH SHOW
The Hristo Botev Stadium is a tidy little ground, literally just a few minutes’ walk from the centre of Plovdiv. Although after the thuggish behaviour of some home supporters when the last team with Ireland in their name showed up, the local Police were taking no chances.
As bad as Thursday night’s game was as a spectacle, the result will be a major shot in the arm for a team devoid of confidence.
Despite a promising start with some excellent and crisp passing from Collins and O’Shea, we still managed to muck it up and find ourselves behind after just six minutes.
All week we had preached on the Podcast that a result was guaranteed as long we didn’t do anything stupid. And yet, here we were doing something stupid. Again. Josh Cullen found himself in no-man’s land with a cheeky dink over the top and it must be said that Ryan Manning, who wasn’t even in the squad last week, was caught ball watching whilst Petkov tucked his chance home.
That initial confidence seemed to drain from the visitors for about 15 minutes and the home side should have had a second just six minutes after the opener. Nathan Collins gifted the hosts with a timid clearance to Krastev, who set up Kiril Despodov only to see his shot go straight at Kelleher.
The threat of another collapse seemed quite real as the home side found their stride, but thankfully, they just couldn’t take advantage of the Irish generosity on display.
Speaking of which…
I think Nathan Collins has the makings of an outstanding player and Ireland Captain. Unfortunately, right now, the Brentford defender seems to be on a mission of capitulation. Maybe it’s the armband, maybe it’s the green jersey, or maybe Collins feels that he has to do MORE due to the quality of what’s around him. Either way, he needs to relax.
As well as THAT poor clearance, the 23-year-old played a blind back pass to Kelleher that could have caused problems against better opposition. Not to mention the kamikaze pass in his own box which smashed straight in Anton Nedyalkov who hit low to Kelleher’s left with a poor shot.
It must be said, Nathan Collins’ range of passing is excellent when he’s switched on and he’s always at his teammates to drive the ball forward. I like that. However, he needs to cut out the unforced errors. Mad to think that he’s still only 23!
Thankfully, Ireland put things right with a well worked equaliser in the 21st minute. Robbie Brady whipped the ball in Troy Parrot who managed a lovely deft touch across the face of the Bulgarian goal giving Finn Azaz perhaps the easiest of goals he’ll ever score.
(Also, Finn Azaz, if you haven’t seen it, check out his absolutely outrageous pass to Robbie Brady in the 28th minute. It’s incredible.)
The celebrations were mute, which was understandable given the circumstances they found themselves in.
Matt Doherty put Ireland in front in the 42nd minute with what is going to go slip under the radar as a fabulous Ireland goal. Josh Cullen, centre of the park, foot on the ball, devoid of an opening until Matt Doherty presented him with one. The much-maligned Wolves defender used his football brain to make a beeline for the box from 50 yards out which Cullen picked up and placed a perfect ball for Doherty to head home. Through the keeper of course.
Honestly, the football intelligence to make that run and bravery to face an onrushing yellow monster in goal, should be applauded. Fair play to Matt Doherty who has really turned things around. Amazing.
The Second half was a complete non-event to be honest. The home side reverted to kicking lumps out of the Boys in Green killing the possibility further of this being any sort of spectacle. Strange, because they were the ones in need of a goal.
This game illustrated the difference between a decent side in a bad place and a team who are simply bad. Bulgaria are terrible. I can’t believe how much a once formidable power in world football has regressed.
The Boys in Green are in a bit of a dark place, however, there may be a little bit of sunshine on the horizon if we can put this lot away cleanly on Sunday. No messing, no drama. No silly unforced errors. Bang, 2-0 (I’ll even take 1-0) and it’s on to June.
No way this group of players should be anywhere near League C of the Nations League. I am eager to see how Heimir Hallgrimson treats this coming June. Hallgrimson has had very little coaching time with his players, despite this being his fourth window as Ireland Manager.
WATCH HERE: IRELAND VS BULGARIA 1ST LEG MATCH REACTION
I feel that a summer camp just before the visit of Senegal (who are 16th in the World) and a trip to Luxembourg could be the catalyst for that one thing we have lacked for the last six years – Momentum.
I want to see the manager bring in the likes of John Patrick, Andy Moran, Eiran Cashin, Bosun Lawal etc and have a good look at what he’s got in terms of options. If he repeats the mistakes of Stephen Kenny and his disastrous November window in 2022, then I can’t see Ireland being anywhere near World Cup contention come the business end of the campaign.
Thursday’s game was awful, however, despite the early set-back, the lads came back and got the win. That should not be overlooked. We have won three games in the last five under Heimir Hallgrimsson, that too should not be overlooked.
A professional job on Sunday followed up by a positive June, then Thursday’s dismal performance becomes a distant memory.
Let’s hope it is.