Differences are subtle under new regime, but trust replacing fear

A stiffer test, a less stellar game, but at least a reassuring steadiness.

Ireland maintained Giovanni Trapattoni’s fine record on the road, but more importantly saw the new regime stay on path. If this somewhat prosaic game didn’t exactly add to the momentum of Friday night, it didn’t take away from it either.

Because, even within all that, there was one particular moment in the first half which seemed to reveal a new mindset in the squad.