Ireland must become comfortable on the ball, insists Littlejohn

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

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.