1 week Ago By Philip Quinn
With the Republic of Ireland’s next away game against England, it was fitting to bump into the legendary Ray Houghton at Athens airport on Monday afternoon. ‘Razor’ confirmed the story of Jack Charlton baying for his blood after the teams played a 1-1 draw in a European Championship qualifier at Wembley in 1991. In a game dominated by Ireland , Houghton could have won it late on when clear on goal inside the box only to blaze wide.
Afterwards Charlton was incandescent with rage and went hunting for Houghton in the showers, dressing room, and toilets, before running the midfielder to ground in a corner of the players’ lounge, where he let rip. Houghton took the flak on the chin. He knew he should have hit the target at least.
He also knew that Charlton would quickly move on. Which he did. Houghton scored six goals in 75 appearances for Ireland in an outstanding career that spanned 1986 to 1997.
Remarkably, all six were in competition, and two of them secured priceless victories on the highest of stages. It’s worth recalling Houghton’s high-stakes heroics. His first goal was the winner against England at Euro ’88, Ireland’s first game in a major tournament.
In 1989, he scored against Malta and then Northern Ireland in World Cup wins in Dublin. In the 1994 World Cup finals, he popped up again with another iconic match-winner, against Italy in Giants Stadium. After a fifth goal against Austria in a 1996 Euro qualifier, Charlton’s last campaign, he had a final hurrah in 1997, scoring against Belgium to bring Ireland level in the second leg of the World Cup play-off in Brussels.
There was one other occassion Houghton found the net, against Romania in that gripping successful penalty shootout in Genoa in 1990. For all those huge moments in a green shirt, whenever he ran into Charlton, Houghton was chided over one that got away against England. Over 33 years later, the teams finally meet at Wembley again in competition on November 17.
Depending on how the penultimate Nations League games go, England could be playing to top the group and secure promotion, while Ireland may have third place boxed off and be pressure-free. The contrast between the squads now is stark compared to the 1991 duel. I recall a memorable spell in the first half where England couldn’t get hold of the ball, such was Ireland’s dominance.
In a month’s time, Ireland can expect to exist on crumbs of possession. Should they protect their lines, they may create a handful of opportunities to land a blow on the old enemy’s chin. As witnessed in Piraeus on Sunday night, when those chances come around, especially against superior opponents, they must be taken.
Where the goals are going to come from under Heimir Hallgrímsson remains an issue after four Nations League games in two windows. So far, Ireland have managed just two, both scored by defenders, one of them from a set-piece. None of Evan Ferguson, Adam Idah, Chiedozie Ogbene, Sammie Szmodics or Troy Parrott have netted yet, while the closest to an Irish goal against Greece came through substitute Jack Taylor, a midfielder.
The lack of goals is nothing new to Ireland. Excluding Gibraltar, which was akin to spearing apples in a barrel, Ireland have mustered a mere four goals in their last 10 competitive games. Only one of them came from a forward player.
Unless they improve that ratio, Hallgrímsson’s ambition to sustain a meaningful challenge in the World Cup qualifiers next year will not be realised. The manager said he was satisfied with the improvements in defence – two needless errors notwithstanding – between the September and October camps, but he has yet to find a cutting edge in an attacking sense. More game time for Ferguson at Brighton should sharpen his shooting sights.
The teenager earned the right to start against Finland and Greece. Two marginal calls went against him, first in Helsinki where he had a goal scratched off for the ball being out of play and then in Piraeus when he appeared to be taken down in the box. While forwards are judged by their goals, Hallgrimsson also needs a steady source from elsewhere.
As it stands, the goals return from the Irish midfielders is shocking. Josh Cullen has yet to score in 38 games, Molumby in 27, while Jason Knight has one goal in 34 appearances. Jamie McGrath is not off the mark after 13 caps, nor is Smallbone after 11.
Ray Houghton chipped in with a goal every 12 games or so, and bloody big ones too. It’s time someone stepped forward like Razor did and put the ball in the England net again..
