Stephen Kenny has lauded Dundee United loan star Jamie McGrath for emerging from “the wilderness” to star for Ireland.
McGrath, 26, was the standout in green as Kenny’s charges claimed an otherwise underwhelming 1-0 victory over Malta in Ta’ Qali on Sunday.
The attacking midfielder was named player of the match as he picked up his seventh international cap.
The performance was a continuation of his excellent form at United, with the ex-St Mirren favourite claiming two goals and two assists in 15 Premiership matches this term.
On loan from the Latics, McGrath is evidently relishing regular action after struggling to get minutes at Wigan following his January switch from the Buddies.
POTM | @jamie_mc_gra
Jamie McGrath is your @carlsberg Player of the Match on his return to the Ireland starting XI 👏#COYBIG | #WeAreOne | #MLAIRL pic.twitter.com/Nl4CyLutoQ
— FAIreland ⚽️🇮🇪 (@FAIreland) November 20, 2022
“The pluses for us were Jamie McGrath coming in and doing really well,” Kenny told RTÉ. “It was an excellent performance from him.
“He was in the wilderness because his club situation didn’t work out in England.
“It’s great for him to come back and do so well.”
Callum Robinson notched the only goal of the game but further opportunities proved hard to come by as Ireland toiled against a team 119 places below them in the FIFA rankings.
A tough year
Addressing a “tough” 2022, McGrath reckons his “risky” Dundee United switch paved the way for an Ireland recall — despite the Tangerines’ troubles this term.
“I knew I had to get out and play regular football,” McGrath said.
“It’s been a tough year. My main goal in going out on loan was getting back in here (Ireland squad). I’ve been doing all right back in Scotland where I had done well before, so thankfully Stephen (Kenny) rewarded me with a place.
“If you spend a few months in the cold, you’re with your thoughts on that, and it can play on your mind.
“But personally, I felt I didn’t fall out of form. Any time I played, I thought I played well, so it was one of those ones where it wasn’t in my hands so I couldn’t really blame myself, which was probably a positive.”
He added: “I let him (Kenny) know my scenario in the summer, and that I wanted to get out and play and hopefully push to get back into the squad. I wouldn’t get back in if I was sitting on the bench or sitting in the stands.
“It was probably a bit of a risky move, but thankfully it has paid off.”
International Arabs
Meanwhile, United winger Ilmari Niskanen played in both of Finland’s friendlies during this international window.
He was a late substitute in last Thursday’s 1-1 draw against North Macedonia. The Finnish flyer then played the full 90 minutes in a decent 1-1 draw away to Norway, deployed in the same left wing-back berth that he is fighting for at Tannadice.
Terrors keeper Carljohan Eriksson was an unused substitute for both matches.
United youngster Archie Meekison earned his second Scotland under-21 cap during a 2-1 defeat against Iceland at Fir Park.
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