Preview: In-form Girls in Green close in on promotion

Positivity abounds as the Republic of Ireland continue to breeze through their UEFA Nations League campaign.

The Girls in Green have three wins from three in League B Group 1. Twelve goals scored, one conceded.

In the fog of the post-Vera Pauw era they needed some light and Eileen Gleeson has been a beacon - a calm, assured presence who has soothed a bruised squad.

The players like her, the back-room team she's assembled is experienced and smart, and her aptitude in the role has bought the FAI time to whittle down their 12-person managerial shortlist.

With every positive result the noises for Gleeson to get the gig have grown louder. The Dubliner hinted at feeling conflicted last week when she said, "if I had ambitions to manage any team, this is the team I'd want to manage".

However she remains committed to her role as the FAI's head of women's and girl's football and has said consistently she's not in the running to take the job permanently.

It'll be tough to walk away from a camp as happy as this one, but there's also an awareness that the real challenges won't come until the spring time.

Ireland are in a sweet spot right now as they mop up a weak group. You can only beat what's in front of you, and they've done that without much fuss to date. The objective has always been to win the group and gain promotion to League A where the top 16 teams in Europe compete and the going is a hell of a lot tougher.

Life in the top tier also aids hopes for Euros qualification as the improved seeding guarantees at least a place in the play-offs once the qualifiers begin in April.

That's all coming down the tracks. First, Ireland must wrap up their maiden Nations League campaign as quickly and efficiently as possible. If they beat Albania in