Ireland v North Macedonia player ratings: Parrott leads the way in solid Irish performance 

The Boys in Green played out a scoreless draw with North Macedonia.  

LEADER: Ireland's Troy Parrott after the match. Pic: INPHO/Ryan Byrne

CAOIMHIN KELLEHER - 6 

The Brentford ace was at full stretch to keep out a first-half free-kick that may have been going wide anyway, but he didn’t know that and couldn’t take the risk. Kelleher’s night didn’t get any busier than that, with Travers coming off the bench to replace him on the hour.

SEAMUS COLEMAN - 6 

Supporters left here wondering was this the last they would see of the Ireland legend? It was a demanding shift in Prague for the 37-year-old but he kept his place in the side despite so few minutes at Everton, and put in another dependable stint for an hour, albeit without much chemistry down the right side with Ogbene.

JOHN EGAN - 6 

A first Ireland start since 2023 for the experienced Hull City defender who replaced Jake O’Brien from Thursday’s team. He looked well placed to get on the end of a close-range, first-half header but couldn’t get the connection he desired. Kept Ireland’s house in order but none of the defenders were overworked.

NATHAN COLLINS - 6 

From one extreme to another in the space of five days, the Ireland captain won’t have many nights as quiet as this in an Ireland shirt. Ticked the box with whatever he had to deal with, but Macedonia offered little in attack so it was always very comfortable for the home side’s rearguard.

DARA O’SHEA - 7 

One of the standout performers in Prague, O’Shea continues to grow into his role as a real leader in this team and while this was a much quieter night’s work, he was calm and collected in everything he did and showed good confidence when in possession, building attacks with some surging runs into midfield.

JASON KNIGHT - 7 

One of three changes to Hallgrimsson’s team from Prague, you could hear him barking the orders on the pitch, such was the hush in the crowd at times. He dug Ireland out of a few midfield holes with quick thinking and smart feet and was always a willing runner. A second-half shot deflected off target.

JAYSON MOLUMBY - 6 

The West Brom man tends to bring energy to the party but Thursday’s exertions in Prague may have taken its toll and he was more subdued than normal. Still, for the hour he played and with Knight buzzing here, there and everywhere he was a dependable anchor in midfield without offering a great deal in attack.

LIAM SCALES - 6 

The Celtic man was back in the starting team after missing the Czechia game through suspension but despite pushing on from wing-back, he didn’t get much joy down Ireland’s left side. Surges forward were limited but one, low second-half attempt on goal from outside the box crashed off a defender.

CHIEDOZIE OGBENE - 6 

Expelled some amount of energy in Prague so the question was how much did he have left in the tank after so little football this year? He saw an early shot deflect over, but the spark he so often brings to games was missing. Still, he kept plugging away and the Ireland fans roared his every touch as they chased a winner.

FINN AZAZ - 7 

Floated in and out of the game but when he was good, he was decent. Won and then went close with a free-kick on the edge of the area in the first-half. He later teed up Parrott for the striker’s shot that crashed off the post and then curled an effort narrowly wide from distance with the goalkeeper at full stretch, before being subbed.

TROY PARROTT - 7 

The Troy Parrott scarves were doing a healthy pre-match trade on the streets outside. He put the ball in the net before half-time but it was chalked off for offside. Hit the post later on, while two other quick-fire shots just lacked accuracy, but he was a handful and won Player of the Match.

SUBSTITUTES:

Mark Travers (61 mins) - 6 With Kelleher in such outstanding form of late, opportunities have been hard to come by for Travers and no doubt he was disappointed not to get the nod in this friendly. He settled for 30 minutes in the second-half, but had very little to do.

James Abankwah (61 mins) - 6 A senior debut for the former St Patrick’s Athletic man who has been the Ireland Under-21 captain up to now. He was warmly embraced by Coleman as he replaced him but was then helped off with an injury with seven minutes to go.

Harvey Vale (61 mins) - 6 The English-born attacker was catapulted from nowhere over the last fortnight and made his debut off the bench in Prague. Still finding his feet at this level, he replaced Molumby and pushed forward to support Idah in the latter stages.

Bosun Lawal (61 mins) - 7 After a few false dawns with previous squad involvement, this was a nice moment for the Stoke City man as he came on for his senior bow. He was a hulking presence in midfield and gave glimpses of why Hallgrimsson likes him so much.

Jake O’Brien (72 mins) - 6 Missed out on a start having thrown everything at the cause in Prague on Thursday night, he came off the bench to play on the right side of the back three at a time when Macedonia were offering little or nothing to win the game.

Adam Idah (72 mins) - 6 It’s a tough act to follow filling Troy Parrott’s boots these days and the hero of Budapest received a standing ovation on his withdrawal. Idah put himself about in his place, but at a time when any semblance of life had already gone from the game.

Alan Browne (83 mins) - 5 Replaced the injured James Abankwah in the latter stages Johnny Kenny (83 mins) - 5 The ex-Shamrock Rovers striker replaced Ogbene and could have won it late on.