Stephen Kenny has refused to get dragged into a war of words with Ireland legend Paul McGrath.
McGrath - capped 83 times - is not convinced by Kenny’s ways since succeeding Mick McCarthy.
This week he said: “It’s my belief that Stephen might not be the person to take us on to that level where we are starting to win things again.”
And that wasn’t the first time that Ireland hero McGrath has laid the boot in.
Yet in a curious move, the FAI this week booked McGrath for a photoshoot at Aviva Stadium to help sell tickets for the friendly clash with Qatar.
Asked about McGrath’s swipes, Kenny said yesterday: “Listen, Paul McGrath is an Irish legend – there’s no doubt about that.
“Everyone is entitled to an opinion and that’s the nature of football, particularly international football but I’ve no major issue.
“I don’t think he was overly critical. I think he also said he hoped I proved him wrong or I may prove him wrong - and that’s certainly the intention.”
Kenny added: “We want to do well, we want the team to be successful.”
Meanwhile, Darren Randolph has missed the cut again for Ireland - because he is not playing club football.
Kenny yesterday confirmed that the West Ham goalkeeper is fit and available for selection.
But out of the picture at the Hammers, Randolph has been a peripheral figure under Kenny since Gavin Bazunu emerged as the new No 1 this year.
Liverpool’s Caoimhin Kelleher and Mark Travers of Bournemouth are the back-up goalkeepers for the Azerbaijan and Qatar games.
Kenny spoke to Randolph in recent days about his omission and said: “Darren is available but needs some games at West Ham. He’s fully fit.”
Meanwhile, Kenny revealed that Peterborough midfielder Jack Taylor was strongly considered for this squad and only narrowly missed out.
“Jack is having an excellent time and he was very close. He has been excellent. Really excellent and Jack could be involved in the future.”
James McCarthy still wants to play for Ireland, according to Kenny.
The new Celtic recruit hasn’t featured for the Boys in Green since the Euro 2020 playoff semi-final defeat on penalties to Slovakia a year ago.
He has missed the last 13 internationals and is not in the squad to face Azerbaijan and Qatar - but has made seven appearances for Celtic this season.
Kenny said yesterday: “James has had an injury history in the last while so he’s hoping to get minutes under his belt.
“He wants to play for Ireland. He wants to get matches before the November window (against Portugal and Luxembourg).”
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