Time's up: This campaign has shown how far off Stephen Kenny is tactically

Kenny’s elevation to the senior job in 2020 was accompanied by aspirational soundbites of taking on the giants of Europe on their own terms and conquering. He couldn't live up to it.

TIME'S UP: Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Saturday was Stephen Kenny’s final chance to snaffle that away win over a big nation he constantly craved but his inability to beat middling and lower nations ultimately removes debate about his future.

Had Ireland done what was expected of them by beating fourth-seeded Greece, they might have reached the competitive level for qualification which the FAI declare in their strategic plan as the minimum target.