Liam Brady: Young English players leaving Irish counterparts in their wake

Although England had the reality check of losing at home to the Netherlands straight after a comeback win away to Germany, I must say I was very impressed with the crop of really fine young players they put on display over the course of the two friendlies.

Harry Kane, Dele Alli, Danny Rose, Ross Barkley, John Stones, even Daniel Sturridge up to a point — all these players have emerged in the last two or three years and they are all of a pretty high quality.

Sadly, the contrast with the Irish situation is acute. We haven’t got anybody of that calibre, between the ages of 18 and 22, who we can get really excited about.