Stephen Kenny: 'We have to try and qualify for the European Championships - We can't be too experimental'

Andrew Dempsey reports from FAI HQ, Abbotstown

Ireland boss Stephen Kenny has insisted the importance of retaining the status quo for the moment at least as the Boys in Green look to qualify for their thirst European Championship’s on the spin.

The 48-year-old Tallaght native revealed that he will not call-up players such as Will Smallbone straight away despite recent Premier League performances.

“I watched Will for Southampton under-21s quite a few times last year, playing in different positions.

“The thing about Will is he's really developed physically. He was a smaller player, he was light and he's all of a sudden grown, he's become a man very quickly.

“(But) we have to try and qualify for the European Championships, so we can't be too experimental in this phase.

“It's a unique opportunity to qualify for the Euros in Dublin, we can't waste it. That’s a really tough challenge, we've got to go away to Slovakia and away to Bosnia or Northern Ireland and win two back to back matches.

“That hasn't been done in many, many years, to beat significant nations back to back away.”

“They (Smallbone and Ferry) have to earn it as well. I won't be picking a bigger squad; it won't be overly big.

“Everyone knows exactly where they are, and everyone has a chance of playing. That's exactly how I try and manage.”

Kenny also provided an update on the international future of Dan Crowley - “There’s question marks over that because of this new Johansson ruling.

“The paperwork hasn’t been processed yet. I haven’t spoken to him. It’s because he didn’t have citizenship when he played for England.”

He also spoke on Stephen Ireland’s hopes of getting back into the international set-up: “I haven’t spoken to him.

“Stephen is obviously a terrifically talented player, and all the players we want them playing in first teams. We’ll see how that goes.”

The former Longford Town boss added: “I have an idea of how we're going to play. I think there's still places up for grabs, and I think the midfield area is very competitive.

“We've got James McCarthy available for selection again, and that's great news for Ireland. He's a really good player.

“Harry Arter as well. James has had a very tough time with injuries, so he's getting a run at Crystal Palace. Jayson Molumby is doing really well at Millwall.

“That increases the level of competition in midfield, we've already had a lot of. good players in that area, so there's a lot of competition in that area, there's competition throughout, but very prominent in midfield.”