Matt Doherty has been handed the captain's armband for Wednesday night’s international friendly against Latvia.
The Atletico Madrid defender will lead the team out for the first time under the lights at the Aviva Stadium, with the manager recognising the character that Doherty has shown throughout Stephen Kenny’s time in charge of the national side.
Doherty has been a vocal supporter of the manager throughout his up and down tenure and that loyalty has now been repaid.
An unexpected yet welcome gesture for the Dublin man who has been lacking game time at his new club in Spain, and is set to use the opportunity to cement his place in the side for Monday’s all-important Euro 2024 qualifying clash with France.
The midweek encounter is being used to prepare the squad for the arrival of the World Cup beaten finalists, and while the manager has said it is a game that they are looking to win, he stressed that it is primarily being used to put vital minutes on the board for some of his squad, including Doherty, who have been lacking gametime at their clubs.
With Doherty wearing the armband, it would suggest that regular skippers Seamus Coleman and John Egan will sit this one out, as both players played at the weekend and will be managed with France in mind.
"I got told this morning, and for me, it’s obviously a pleasure, a great honour," said Doherty.
"I’ve obviously never done it before so when Stephen told me, I was a bit surprised, I didn’t expect it. I’ve to thank him for doing that, I know he believes in me a lot.
"Even though I’ve not been playing that well, he’s always kept in contact and I guess he knows that when I’ve played, I’ve never let him down. That will be the same case again, and hopefully I can do him proud."
A free agent in the summer, however, Doherty’s sole focus during this international window is to perform to his potential in Ireland’s cause as he hopes to play a part against France on Monday night.
And while admitting that he was lacking game time, he believes that he is sharp and ready to contribute, while he will be using the Latvia game to work his lungs and legs to help fine tune his match fitness.
"I’m not thinking about what I do here if he will see it and if he will be impressed by it," said Doherty, when asked whether he was out to impress club boss Diego Simeone. "No, I’m just thinking of what I can do here to get the best result for Ireland, that’s it.
"I’m trying to get my legs and lungs going again, it’s an important game for me, but it’s an important game for everybody who plays you know.
"You’re playing for Ireland in front of a big crowd at home with the opportunity to play your way into a Monday night game against France.
"Whoever plays tomorrow, it is going to be incredibly important for all of them to try and produce and play well and try and win a game for your country."
Stephen Kenny was quick to sing his player’s praises when asked what was it that singled Doherty out as captain material.
The Ireland manager referenced an end of season trip to Spain where he saw real quality of character and commitment to the cause, as Doherty played through the pain barrier to help his country to a result that was credited with helping to turn the tide during a troubled period for the manager.
"When we were out in Spain 18 months ago and had to go and play Hungary, there was an issue with Matt, injury-wise, and he could have easily not played in that game," explained Kenny.
"He was the only senior right back available, and even though it was a friendly game, he passed himself fit and was determined to play regardless - he played 90 minutes and we drew.
"He put the team before himself, we didn't want to take a risk; a lot of players would have not played, but he was determined to play.
"It hasn't been straightforward for Matt in his career, he's not always been one of the main players for Ireland.
"He's had to bide his time over the years, come from the League of Ireland, play in Scotland, come up the hard way, from League One to the Championship and the Premier League, and now with the move to La Liga.
"It's been his own personal journey which has not been straightforward, he's had to fight hard and adapt, consistently adapt to go up the various levels. He has done that very well."
Looking beyond Wednesday night’s encounter with Latvia, the Ireland manager will enjoy the luxury of watching the top two seeds battle it out on Friday night as Group B kicks off in Paris as France host Holland.
"It is hard to know," said Kenny, when asked what his preferred result would be, and whether it involves both sides dropping points.
"Incredibly France are the second seeds in our group, considering they are the most consistent team in the world over the last eight years getting to two world cup finals, winning one and losing the other one on penalties. They’ve been terrific.
"They have an embarrassment of riches in relation to their squad, and obviously have some players who have retired, but when you look at their squad it is all Real Madrid, Barcelona, PSG, Bayern Munich, essentially, and all of their players are at top European clubs.
"They’re the strongest team, it’s difficult that to fathom that they are second seeds. But Holland obviously have a great tradition themselves so it’s interesting.
"It’s difficult to know, however, from our position, it’s all about ourselves and what we do."
