Norway to provide perfect test ahead of Euro qualifiers - Stephen Kenny

Stephen Kenny wants his side to hit the ground running when they begin their Euro 2024 qualification campaign in March, and the Ireland manager feels that the visit of Norway to Dublin provides the perfect test for his side ahead of the extended international break.

Ireland will have no more international football following Sunday's away game in Malta – the second game of this week’s double-header – until the March international window, which signals the start of the vital campaign on the road to the Germany-hosted tournament.

Kenny describes Norway as one of the better sides who have not qualified for the imminent Qatar World Cup, and while man of the moment Erling Haaland will not play in the Lansdowne Road encounter, the manager believes that the visiting side are full of quality from the top leagues in Europe.

Haaland is the current top scorer in the English Premier League, and while the prolific frontman is missing through injury issues, the national team captain Martin Odegaard is another Norwegian currently shining in the English top flight, starring for table-toppers Arsenal.

And the manager admitted that his plans have not been altered too much as a result of Haaland’s absence.

"I don’t think it changes that much," said Kenny, when asked about his tactical approach for a team minus the striker.

"Norway have a lot of players playing at a good level, they are all good players. The highest profile is their captain, Martin Odegaard, who is an exceptional p[ayer for sure. They have players in La Liga and other top leagues, so they have shown themselves to be a good team."

A friendly fixture, a rarity in international football since the arrival of the UEFA Nations League, however, the manager stressed the importance of the