The Republic of Ireland will attempt to revive their World Cup hopes during the international break after their shock loss to Armenia.
Heimir Hallgrimsson’s team will face Portugal and Armenia in their next qualifying fixtures, with their hopes of featuring in North America next summer hanging on by a thread.
From their last four games, three wins are expected to be the minimum to allow Ireland any chance of qualifying for the World Cup.
There have been several problems for the Irish side during Hallgrimsson’s tenure, but one of them has been the lack of quality options at left wing-back, demonstrating how important James McClean was for his national side.
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The Republic of Ireland have never replaced James McClean
The Wrexham captain made his international debut for Ireland in February 2012 against the Czech Republic off the bench.
James McClean began his Irish career as a winger; however, over his 11 years with the nation, he would be a versatile option as he neared international retirement, being able to feature at left back or wing back.
He would finish his Ireland career in November 2023 in a friendly against New Zealand. Since then, there has been a belief that he may make a return to help his nation, as they have struggled to replace him at wing-back.
While Ireland do have natural options in this position, with Southampton’s Ryan Manning and Ferencváros’ Callum O’Dowda.
However, Hallgrimsson has opted to play Matt Doherty in that position in the most recent international breaks, with there being a belief he may now do the same with Seamus Coleman, two players not naturally left-sided defenders.
McClean made the decision to retire from international duty to help extend his club career, despite his love of representing Ireland, which has been to the benefit of Wrexham, as they earned promotion to the Championship.
While there are no loud calls for McClean to return to Irish duty due to him being 36 years old, with an understanding Ireland must find his replacement, it demonstrates the importance of his loss to his nation.
James McClean’s scathing opinion on Ireland’s defeat to Armenia
The 103-cap Republic of Ireland international was watching on with frustration at the performance against Armenia in the last international break, seemingly eliminating them from the 2026 World Cup.
Ireland did not show any signs of a side that had the quality to compete in the World Cup next summer as they secured a last-gasp draw with Hungary in Dublin before their surprise defeat to Armenia.
James McClean would give his thoughts on Ireland and their manager to Off The Ball following the results.
He said: “What I will say is that Stephen Kenny got sacked in November (of 2023) and Heimir got appointed in July (of 2024). So you’re trying to tell me that between November and July this is the best that we could come up with?
“From what I’ve seen and what I’ve watched, it’s not been good at all.
“It’s such a bad watch. It took until the 93rd minute for one of our players to clatter into someone, and that was Evan [Ferguson] on the goalkeeper.
“It’s not a good watch, and I don’t really see what the game plan is and what they’re trying to do, to be honest.”