Eileen Gleeson targets more good vibes as Albania come to town

The Eileen Gleeson era enters its second international window this week as the Republic of Ireland square up to world No 72-ranked Albania.

Gleeson will remain in place for the four remaining games of the UEFA Nations League campaign, with the looming double-header against the group's lowest seed presenting another golden opportunity to rack up wins and goals.

Her final two games at the helm will be December's concluding clashes against Hungary and Northern Ireland. After that, the FAI are expected to name a permanent successor to Vera Pauw. The association is currently whittling down a 12-person long list of candidates.

On the pitch, Ireland are enjoying themselves right now. After the awkward split with Pauw, Gleeson has steadied the ship, with a winnable League B group allowing the Girls in Green to throw off the shackles and play with more freedom.

September victories against the North [3-0] and Hungary [4-0] bred positive vibes. A sold-out Tallaght Stadium will expect more of the same on Friday night against an Albanian side who - although technically decent - really should be swatted aside without too much fuss.

Gleeson, the FAI's current head of women and girls' football, is a popular figure in the Irish game, but she remains adamant she's not in the frame to stay on beyond December.

"It's never about not wanting this job," she said on Thursday.

"It’s about the importance of the head of women’s football role. It’s a super, super difficult decision to make or choice to have. But when we’re training and we talk about concepts like supporting closely and supporting away… I’ll still be with the girls and taking care of Irish womens and girls football.

"It has gone well. It’s a real pleasure for me to be working with the