Cullen has goal on mind despite awareness his priorities lie deeper

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.

Ireland couldn’t muster a single attempt on goal in the reverse meeting last month in Lisbon but, considering the stakes, a different tempo in the final third is not only anticipated but essential.

Goals must be sourced from alternatives and, while striker Troy Parrott is in line to make his first start of the campaign, a multidimensional artillery will be required to tame the exalted guests.

What better occasion then for Josh Cullen to step up and break his international duck on his 46th cap?

If he can bring his club form on that front to Lansdowne Road, that thought might gain some realism.

It’s taken the Burnley midfielder 11 games to do what he achieved in his last Premier League campaign: score two goals.

His first was part of the Clarets’ win over fellow promoted side Sunderland in the second game before he struck again last weekend. 

That was against his first club West Ham United, coming too late to avoid a 3-2 defeat.

“I'm well aware of my role in the team, that first and foremost isn't about goal-scoring,” said the tidy operator, renowned for being a sitter shielding the defence behind.

“I don't go into games thinking that that's my main role. You learn a lot of lessons and development from playing at Premier League level.

“Maybe the signings who’ve come into the club over the summer, together with that a bit more of defensive stability from other players, has allowed me to join in the attack a little bit more.

“It comes with the structure of the team, by learning what the manager wants from each of us.

“I wouldn't say there's been a major change overnight but I think that sort of balance with teammates around you gives you a little bit more licence. I've had more of it this season and really enjoyed it.” 

Ireland, like Burnley, begin matches as underdogs. 

The meeting of nations ranked fifth and 63 underscores the might of the task Ireland confront to salvage their objectives of nudging Hungary for second in the table and entry into next March’s playoffs.

“You can never go into a Premier League game or international match feeling as the underdog,” Cullen countered.

“You must always have a belief and a mentality that you're going into a game. As talented as Portugal are, it's 11 players against 11 players, us against another group of men.

“That mentality is needed as we build throughout the week with preparation.

“People from outside the camp and outside the squad will see us as the underdogs. But we put an expectation on ourselves as a group to perform well and believe that we can go and win the game. And it has to be a positive mindset. And that's where we're at right now.” 

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

“It would mean everything to me,” he confesses. “Scoring produces the best feeling in football and I can only imagine that scoring for your country is a level above that as well.

“Sitting at home watching the Armenia match wasn’t the best feeling – in fact it was horrible – but I want to be in the thick of it this week.

“It's crucial for people to chip in and score goals. If that chance falls my way, I’ve to be ready to take it.

“Missing Evan is a shame for us but we've got other players ready to step up. Hopefully, my first goal isn’t too far away.”