Preview: Nothing to lose as Ireland look to banish Greek tragedy with victory in Dublin

Grasping at straws, perhaps, but as long as there is a mathematical chance of Ireland qualifying for Euro 2024, it is hard to criticise the manager for pushing that particular agenda, as Greece arrive in Dublin for tonight's Euro 2024 qualifier.

The qualification pulse may still be beating, but the signal is weak, very weak, as Ireland need the Dutch to lose to France tonight, then get beaten by Greece on Monday to have any hope of taking the qualification campaign into November.

And even if that unlikely scenario unfolds over the next few days, Kenny’s side would still need to have secured six points by beating Greece and Gibraltar, before going on to defeat the Dutch in Amsterdam next month, while still relying on France to defeat Greece.

Such a scenario could see all three teams finish on 12 points with goal difference coming into play in games between the sides to see who would join France in Germany next year.

Remarkable to even be working out such permutations for a team with three points from five games played, but it at least gives Ireland a greater incentive to go out and prove they are a better team than Greece this time around.

For it was in Greece that this campaign came a cropper following a fine opening display against France in Dublin, and while things were always going to be tough in a group with the World Cup finalists and the Netherlands, an away win in Athens could have set the tone in the quest to separate the big two.

At this stage, all Ireland can realistically do is play for pride, and following two excellent, if ultimately losing performances in Dublin against the French and Dutch, victory tonight would be most welcome to a fervent home support who really wanted the manager to succeed.

Kenny has