Tommy Martin: This might yet be an international window well spent

It’s not perfect but there are raw materials there and Barry/Sagnol/Renard/Bruce/Mattress Mick or whoever is next will be watching keenly to see if the interim gang can put some shape on them.

SHORT TIMELINE: Interim Head Coach John O'Shea with Technical Advisor Brian Kerr. Pic: Ryan Byrne, Inpho

THERE’S only one Sammie Szmodics? Ooh aah, Sammie Szmodics? We all dream of a team of Sammie Szmodicses?

Integrating the Republic of Ireland’s new Championship-leading goleador is at least one task at hand this week, for what is otherwise a squad in a holding pattern.