Winning the group our ambition, says Stephen Kenny, as Ukraine and Scots await

Special guest Robert Pirès presents the Republic of Ireland in the UEFA Nations League 2022/23 League Phase draw at UEFA headquarters

Ireland have been grouped with Ukraine, Scotland and Armenia in Thursday's UEFA Nations League draw, held in Nyon.

The League B1’s six group games in 2022 will see four from June 2-15 with the remainder played out from Sept 22-27.

French legend Robert Pires drew out the balls from the bowl in Ireland’s section, pitting them against two nations who will face each other in March’s World Cup playoffs before the third edition of the European competition commences.

Ukraine will fancy their chance of topping the group, as well as a Scotland side revived under Steve Clarke but so too will Ireland.

Manager Stephen Kenny had in October declared his objective of winning the group, thereby guaranteeing a playoff semi-final for Euro 2024 before the regulation campaign kicks off in March 2023.

Armenia were considered the best possible draw for Ireland from the Pot 4 options.

Speaking to UEFA on the draw, Ireland manager Stephen Kenny believes it is an exciting group where each team can beat each other.

"My first impression is that it is a really competitive group," said Kenny.

"Ukraine got to the quarter-finals of the Euros, Scotland have won their last six matches and Armenia have really improved, finishing ahead of Iceland recently in their World Cup qualifying group.

"All of the teams are capable of taking points off each other so it is very exciting from our point of view.

"Obviously, we're third seeds in the group so not many people would expect us to win the group but that will certainly be our ambition."

League B in full 

Group B1: Ukraine, Scotland, Republic of Ireland, Armenia 

Group B2 Iceland, Russia, Israel, Albania. 

Group B3 Bosnia and Herzegovina, Finland, Romania, Montenegro.

Group B4 Sweden, Norway, Serbia, Slovenia.

A quick glance at Ireland's opponents:

UKRAINE 

Fifa ranking: 25 Manager: Oleksandr Petrakov (appointed caretaker in August 2021, permanent November 2021).

Form in World Cup qualifiers: Finished second behind France, winning just twice and drawing their six other qualifiers. Will meet Scotland in the playoff semi-final in March.

Star player: Andriy Yarmolenko: He might be out of favour at high-flying West Ham United but even at 32 the striker is still his country’s talisman. He’s just four goals off equalling Andriy Shevchenko’s record of 48 goals.

Ireland’s record v Ukraine: Zero. Ukraine are one of just four European nations – along with Slovenia and relative newcomers Kosovo and North Macedonia – to never meet Ireland at senior men’s level.

SCOTLAND 

Fifa ranking: 38.

Manager: Steve Clarke (appointed May 2019).

Form in World Cup qualifiers: Clinched a playoff with a six-point cushion on third-placed Israel in Group F. Wins away to Austria and at home to group winners Denmark contributed to their impressive haul of 23 points from 10 qualifiers.

Star player: John McGinn: The Aston Villa playmaker came of age after joining Aston Villa and translated that form onto the international stage by eclipsing Andy Robertson as their biggest influence.

Ireland’s record v Scotland: Played: 11. Won 4, drew 3, lost 4.

ARMENIA 

Fifa ranking: 92.

Manager: Joaquín Camino (appointed March 2021).

Form in World Cup qualifiers: Sealed fourth place in Group J, ahead of Iceland, with 12 points from their 10 games.

Star player: Sargis Adamyan: Born in Yerevan, the striker moved to Germany at the age of five and has played in the Bundesliga for Hoffenheim since 2019.

Ireland’s record v Armenia: Played: 2. Won 2.