Forget the subplots, winning is the only thing that matters for Stephen Kenny and Ireland

Alan Browne’s opening goal against Serbia last Wednesday prised one monkey off Stephen Kenny’s back after 678 minutes of drought. Now the Republic of Ireland manager needs nothing more urgently and nothing less than a first victory

TALKING TACTICS: Goalkeeping coach Dean Kiely instructing goalkeepers, from left, Gavin Bazunu, Kieran O’Hara and Mark Travers at yesterday’s Republic of Ireland training session at the FAI National Training Centre in Abbotstown, Dublin. Picture: Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Forget the subplots. Strip away the backstory. Go away with your thoughts on the lack of goals or the plethora of Covid issues. Don’t be bothering us with stuff about any trumped-up ‘Videogate’ controversy and the changes to the backroom staff. And don’t you dare mention injuries.

Everything today boils down to one small word: Win. Just win.