FANS were disappointed at one element of Ireland’s starting line-up against Bulgaria.
Heimir Hallgrimsson‘s men face Bulgaria in the first leg of the UEFA Nations League relegation play-off on Thursday night.
The starting XI for the game was named at 6:30pm, with Nathan Collins captaining and the likes of Caoimhin Kelleher, Troy Parrott, and Matt Doherty all picked.
However, an eye-opening name amongst the substitutes was Jake O’Brien, who has come into the international window amid a rise at Everton.
One fan said: “No o brien never could of guessed that …. Pathetic most inform defender”
A second posted: “What does O’Brien have to do? He’s been arguably the most in form/tied most in form Irish player?”
A third said: “No Jake O’Brien, is Sean Dyche managing?”
A fourth complained: “No O’Brien is actually criminal, trying to get behind Heimir but that might be the worst decision he’s made so far.”
A fifth said: “No start for O Brien and he’s probably the most inform Irish player over the last 2 months ..”
And a sixth said: “O’Brien probs been the best right back in the league since Moyes moved his position but puts Doherty there instead.
“If you moved him back centre back understandable but bench is showing how out of touch he is”
It comes after some high praise from former Ireland international Kevin Kilbane.
The Republic of Ireland defender is enjoying a renaissance at Goodison Park under David Moyes.
He has made ten league appearances since the Scot’s return, starting nine of them, and has score two goals.
O’Brien has done so in a new position of right-back, having been signed from Lyon as centre-back but marginalised by Sean Dyche.
And speaking to NetBet Online Casino, former Ireland star Kevin Kilbane revealed that the Cork-native reminded him of fellow Rebel Denis Irwin.
He argued: “I think Jake O’Brien has been immaculate in everything he’s done since he got into the Everton team.
“He’s not the kind of player you’re going to notice doing extremely special things, especially as he’s been playing at right back, which isn’t a natural position for him.
“However, everything he has been doing has just been consistently good.
“I’ve made comparisons with him and the likes of Denis Irwin and Steve Finnan before.
“They were just so consistent and did everything to such a good standard, they rarely made any mistakes.
“O’Brien reminds me of them in that respect – he’s very level-headed and so calm on the ball, he never seems to get flustered in his actions.
“I honestly can’t believe he’d not had more game time at Everton since David Moyes came in.
“He’s the kind of player you need in high pressure games to remain calm and keep things measured.”
