Ireland must follow mid-week performance with a positive result against Azerbaijan

A win is unlikely to reignite their World Cup qualification aspirations but it is imperative for doubts over the manager’s future to vanish

Josh Cullen during a Republic of Ireland training session at the Aviva Stadium. Picture: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Had events transpired differently, Declan Rice could be facing Azerbaijan today four years on from making his Ireland U21 debut against them.

Instead, it will be another holding midfielder representing West Ham United in that Irish team in Baku at the heart of the senior cause.