Cullen has goal on mind despite awareness his priorities lie deeper

Cullen’s workrate, breaking up play and dictating the pace of the game, tends to go unnoticed. Becoming the matchwinner changes that perception.

Josh Cullen during a Republic of Ireland training session. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Three of Ireland’s four goals in the World Cup qualifying campaign have been scored by Evan Ferguson, whose absence may be Ireland’s biggest challenge against the Portuguese.

Possessing a poacher of the 21-year-old’s ilk for a team that struggles to create clearcut openings is reminiscent of the value Robbie Keane provided at his peak.