Here's the Ireland team we want to see face New Zealand ahead of Denmark showdown

We're expecting plenty of fresh faces when Ireland host New Zealand in a friendly clash - just days before their vital showdown with Denmark.

Mick McCarthy is likely to rest some of his key men for the clash, with one eye on the final qualifying tie with the Danes - a win will see Ireland qualify for Euro 2020.

With Aaron Connolly joined by Ireland under-21 team mates Troy Parrott and Lee O'Connor in a youthful Ireland squad - here's the Ireland XI we'd like to see line out at the Aviva Stadium:

GK: Mark Travers

Mark Travers of Bournemouth (Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

 

The Bournemouth shot stopper is probably among the front runners to take over the mantle from Darren Randolph when the Bray man retires - so why not give him a run out? This just makes sense.

RB: Matt Doherty

Republic of Ireland player Matt Doherty (©INPHO/Ryan Byrne)

 

Doherty was an injury scare last week, but featured in their Europa League win on Thursday - he needs minutes on that right side for Ireland and this is a good opportunity before Denmark.

CB: Kevin Long

Kevin Long (©INPHO/Ryan Byrne)

 

The Cork man is still biding his time with Ireland, but deserves an opportunity to break into that John Egan and Shane Duffy partnership.

CB: Ciaran Clark

 

Ciaran Clark (©INPHO/Gary Carr)

Clark got the call-up after a strong start to the season with Newcastle, he's been in good form and it's a golden opportunity for him to stake some sort of claim before the Danes are in town.

LB: Lee O'Connor

Lee O'Connor (©INPHO/Ryan Byrne)

 

The Celtic full-back has been exceptional with the under-21's and fully deserves the call-up given that he's suspended for their trip to Armenia on the same day as this tie. Why not give him game time before sending him back for the Swedish clash?

CM: Josh Cullen

Bulgaria’s Georgi Milanov and Josh Cullen of Ireland (©INPHO/James Crombie)

 

Cullen was brilliant against Bulgaria back in September and could feel aggrieved not to have seen game time last month - he's a future regular and deserves the 90 minutes if he's not set to feature against Denmark.

CM: Alan Browne

Bulgaria’s Georgi Milanov and Alan Browne of Ireland (©INPHO/James Crombie)

 

If Glenn Whelan and Jeff Hendrick are to play against Denmark, it's best to rest them and give Browne another crack of the whip. The Preston captain is in fine form in the Championship and could translate that with a start against New Zealand.

RW: Callum Robinson

Ireland's Callum Robinson with Otar Kiteishvili of Georgia (©INPHO/Tommy Dickson)

 

Robinson has been hot and cold with Ireland  in his ten caps so far. He's been good but hasn't quite gotten off the mark - and this is the perfect game for him to do so.

CAM: Jack Byrne

Dundalk's Sean Murray and Jack Byrne of Rovers (©INPHO/Ryan Byrne)

Byrne has to play. He's been the best player in Ireland all year and topped it off with a classy performance to help Shamrock Rovers towards an FAI Cup. He deserves that elusive Ireland start.

LW: Aaron Connolly

Ireland's Aaron Connolly with manager Mick McCarthy and assistant manager Robbie Keane before coming on (©INPHO/Tommy Dickson)

 

Why we've put Connolly on the left will be evident in our pick for striker, but the Brighton man is well able to do damage on the left. It's where he garnered his reputation with the under-21's and he'll have no issue adjusting.

ST: Troy Parrott

Troy Parrott of Republic of Ireland celebrates scoring a goal (©INPHO/Tommy Dickson)

Parrott is set to become the youngest debutant for the Boys in Green since Robbie Keane, and if McCarthy has pulled him away from the under-21's - he just needs to play him. He'll more than likely only get a few minutes, but we'd love for him to start!

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