Stephen Kenny: The squad is evolving, growing and improving

Latvia will offer Ireland exactly what the crowd crave; acres of space to dominate possession and chances upon which a prolific, prodigious talent of Ferguson’s calibre can gorge.

'EVERY GAME IS IMPORTANT': Manager Stephen Kenny and Michael Obafemi during a Republic of Ireland training session at the FAI National Training Centre in Abbotstown. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

THE LAST TIME Latvia played Ireland, Martin O’Neill’s appointment – and Roy Keane’s FAI reunion – illuminated a futile friendly exercise.

Close to a decade on and there’s also two plotlines attaching import to the visit of Europe’s eight-worst team, Evan Ferguson and the imminent arrival of France.