Ireland must become comfortable on the ball, insists Littlejohn

NEED FOR ADAPTABILITY: Ruesha Littlejohn of the Republic of Ireland in action against Charlie Estcourt of Wales. Pic: Tyler Miller, Sportsfile

Better to be grounded by defeat in a friendly than a qualifier was the main takeaway for Ruesha Littlejohn from Ireland’s defeat to Wales on Tuesday.

The Celtic cousins passed each other out in the hierarchy arising from diverging outcomes of their Nations League campaigns over the Autumn, with Ireland the country sharing company with the heavyweights in next Tuesday’s Euro draw.

That group will pit Eileen Gleeson’s side against nations of higher standard than Wales ranked 32 in the world’s standings but they were devoid of ideas and shaky at the back in this final audition before the qualifiers begin in early April.

Two-nil might have flattered Ireland at Tallaght on the balance of territory and chances.

They also failed to rattle the net in Friday’s trip to Italy, albeit keeping the hosts scoreless was commendable.

Those pressurised situations are sure to intensify in the competitive pool that could see Ireland grouped with World champions Spain, Euro holders England and Olympic silver medallists Sweden.

Littlejohn, one of the squad’s veterans at 33, didn’t hold back in outlining the improvements Ireland need to tackle the demands of what’ll come thick and fast over six games between April and July.

“We have to become comfortable on the football, under pressure and problem-solve,” said the Glaswegian, rubbishing the notion Ireland’s struggles were attributable to Gleeson switching formation to a back-four during this window.

“We know what we’re good at that from doing it for years but, if we want to get better, and start to become a better team in possession, we have to able to change shape and formation.

“We want to get better and it’s not going to be an overnight success. We’ve played a certain formation for a long period of time and have a lot of young players coming through.

“At the moment, it’s about knowing when to step with the ball, when to commit players, and where we can find the free player. All of us have the capacity of doing that.

“We just have to go away and work really hard. It sounds stupid.” 

At least they have a new recruit for the tasks ahead.

Emily Murphy made her debut off the bench against the Welsh and her endeavours to reduce the deficit was a rare bright spot from Ireland’s first defeat in nine matches stretching back to Canada in last July’s World Cup.

“I didn’t think it was fair on the girls who’d worked hard to qualify Ireland for the tournament,” the 20-year-old former Chelsea striker said about delaying her allegiance to Ireland.

She is currently based in America with Wake Forest but plans to return to England once her degrees in political science and global studies are attained this summer.

“I wasn’t ready either to make the decision. It was enticing and while I supported every game watching him from home I wanted to prove myself.

“I still had two and half years left in college but was ready once I got my graduation date.”