Adam Idah confident Republic of Ireland can deliver Euro 2024 qualifying clash
Adam Idah is confident the Republic of Ireland will have a shock result after a late start to their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign.
Monday night's 3-0 victory over Gibraltar was their first in three attempts and came three days after a disappointing loss to Greece in Athens.
They sit third in the group having played one game more than the Netherlands, who they will face in September after the small matter of the World Cup finalists beaten by France in Paris, but the Norwich Idah striker refuses to give up hope.
When asked if the big wins he needed were possible, the 22-year-old replied: "Of course, I think everyone saw it the last time we played the France. We were exceptional.
"I know we didn't win, but we showed we can compete against these big teams. Ultimately it's up to us to finish this.
"I believe - and I think everyone does - that we can go out there and do it. The next step is to go show what we're doing."
While victory over Gibraltar, ranked 201st in the world by FIFA, was expected, it did not come easily with the teams heading to the locker room at half-time with the stalemate unbroken.
However, the introduction of Celtic winger Mikey Johnston and a switch to a four-man defender after the break paid off, with Johnston opening the scoring with his first goal for Ireland within seven minutes of arriving before Evan Ferguson doubled the advantage.
There was also relief for late substitute Idah, who finally opened his account on the 16th attempt in stoppage time, ending the talk process of matching the former Irish leader's feat John Aldridge, who broke his duck in his 19th appearance.
Idah said: "It's difficult when you haven't scored and played a lot of games. But I talked to people and the main thing was to be patient, the goals will come.
"My job is to score goals and that's probably the hardest part, not to score. I scored and missed and now I'm going to try to keep scoring."
For coach Stephen Kenny, who entered the game under extreme pressure following the defeat in Greece, Idah's exploits represented the reward for the faith he invested in a promoted player among those under 21.
The leader said: "I've been with Stephen since I was 18. He showed great confidence in me.
"I haven't scored in a lot of games. For him to keep playing against me and bringing me on gives me great confidence and belief. I'm delighted to score and pay tribute to him for everything what he has done for me. I really appreciate what he has done."
James McClean, who became the seventh man to win 100 caps for Ireland, had voiced his support for Kenny during the build-up to the match, and Ferguson, 18, later insisted the players remain firmly behind the manager.
The Brighton striker, who has described his last six months for club and country as "crazy", said: "I don't think anyone opposes the manager. We are all behind him and we we all trust him."
Adam Idah is confident the Republic of Ireland will have a shock result after a late start to their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign.
Monday night's 3-0 victory over Gibraltar was their first in three attempts and came three days after a disappointing loss to Greece in Athens.
They sit third in the group having played one game more than the Netherlands, who they will face in September after the small matter of the World Cup finalists beaten by France in Paris, but the Norwich Idah striker refuses to give up hope.
When asked if the big wins he needed were possible, the 22-year-old replied: "Of course, I think everyone saw it the last time we played the France. We were exceptional.
"I know we didn't win, but we showed we can compete against these big teams. Ultimately it's up to us to finish this.
"I believe - and I think everyone does - that we can go out there and do it. The next step is to go show what we're doing."
While victory over Gibraltar, ranked 201st in the world by FIFA, was expected, it did not come easily with the teams heading to the locker room at half-time with the stalemate unbroken.
However, the introduction of Celtic winger Mikey Johnston and a switch to a four-man defender after the break paid off, with Johnston opening the scoring with his first goal for Ireland within seven minutes of arriving before Evan Ferguson doubled the advantage.
There was also relief for late substitute Idah, who finally opened his account on the 16th attempt in stoppage time, ending the talk process of matching the former Irish leader's feat John Aldridge, who broke his duck in his 19th appearance.
Idah said: "It's difficult when you haven't scored and played a lot of games. But I talked to people and the main thing was to be patient, the goals will come.
"My job is to score goals and that's probably the hardest part, not to score. I scored and missed and now I'm going to try to keep scoring."
For coach Stephen Kenny, who entered the game under extreme pressure following the defeat in Greece, Idah's exploits represented the reward for the faith he invested in a promoted player among those under 21.
The leader said: "I've been with Stephen since I was 18. He showed great confidence in me.
"I haven't scored in a lot of games. For him to keep playing against me and bringing me on gives me great confidence and belief. I'm delighted to score and pay tribute to him for everything what he has done for me. I really appreciate what he has done."
James McClean, who became the seventh man to win 100 caps for Ireland, had voiced his support for Kenny during the build-up to the match, and Ferguson, 18, later insisted the players remain firmly behind the manager.
The Brighton striker, who has described his last six months for club and country as "crazy", said: "I don't think anyone opposes the manager. We are all behind him and we we all trust him."
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