Mikey Johnston helps Ireland to much-needed win over Gibraltar

Substitute Mikey Johnston belatedly ignited the Republic’s Euro 2024 qualifying campaign to spare manager Stephen Kenny further punishment at the hands of Gibraltar.

The Celtic winger, who spent last season on loan with Portuguese side Vitoria Guimaraes, scored his first senior international goal within seven minutes of his half-time introduction with his team-mates having left the pitch to a less than rapturous reception after being kept at bay by the side ranked 201st in the world.

Evan Ferguson helped himself to his second Ireland goal seven minutes later and substitute Adam Idah his first in stoppage time to cement at 3-0 victory on a night when anything other than a comfortable victory would have heaped further pressure on Kenny, who had found himself in the firing line once again in the wake of Friday night’s 2-1 Group B defeat in Greece.

Here's how Mikey Johnston put us in front this evening!67' | 2-0#COYBIG | #IRLGIBpic.twitter.com/6EhXsEOj5b

— Ireland Football ⚽️