Ireland legend Paul McGrath has admitted the future looks a little brighter for the Boys in Green after they battled back to earn a draw with Serbia.
Stephen Kenny's side found themselves 1-0 down against the favourites mid-way through the first-half, but rallied after the break and scored a late equaliser to earn a point at the Aviva Stadium.
And after Ireland's 1-1 draw with Azerbaijan on Saturday, McGrath criticised Kenny and Ireland players as pressure mounted on the boss.
But after last night's draw, McGrath took to Twitter to heap praise on some of Ireland's young guns as they stepped up, admitting that the future looks brighter for the Boys in Green.
"How many brilliant goalkeepers do Ireland produce, this kid (Gavin Bazunu) is scary good," he tweeted.
He added: "Andrew Omobamidele. Take a bow sir . Brilliant Display from this kid . The future looking a little brighter"
After Saturday's result, McGrath criticised Kenny as he admitted that hopes for the future were eclipsed by poor Ireland performances.
In his Irish independent column, the former St Pat's ace wrote: "No other Irish manager would be indulged with such results and no amount of talking about building for the future will wash away what is happening with our senior team right now.
"We have to remember that missing out on next year’s World Cup means we’ve only qualified for two of the last ten Euros or World Cups.
"We are not that good, but we are better than losing to Luxembourg and drawing with a very game, but limited, Azerbaijan outfit. And someone has to take the rap for that."
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