Stephen Kenny remains defiant as reign clouds gather

Stephen Kenny recently signed a new contract with the FAI, however, just two games into the Nations League campaign, the manager was fending off questions regarding his suitability for the position.

A shaky start to his tenure, failing to win a game in his first eleven, while only registering one goal in the opening eight matches, Kenny finally started to gain plaudits with excellent performances against quality sides like Portugal, twice, Serbia and Belgium.

So much so that it prompted the manager to make a bold assertion that he was targeting promotion to the top tier of the Nations League as group winners.

Drawn in a group alongside Ukraine, Scotland and Armenia, the ambition remained as the side went into the competition brimming with confidence off the back of an eight-game unbeaten record.

Two games. Two defeats, one against the lower ranked Armenia, and suddenly, the knives were out, being sharpened right in front of the manager's eyes, as the media cared to question his leadership ability.

"I do, absolutely, without a shadow of a doubt," said Kenny, when asked whether he still believed that he was the right man to take Ireland forward.

"I've just a signed a new contract and I'm committed here until after the Euros.

"We've just lost two very very narrow games that we are disappointed to lose. We are getting ready for the game, and we're just fully focused on the game tomorrow."

Kenny enjoyed unparalleled success as a club manager in the League of Ireland with Dundalk, while also winning trophies with Derry City and Bohemians, however, there have been difficult periods as well, most notably at Shamrock Rovers in 2012.

And perhaps because of the Scottish connection with this weekend's game, Kenny’s record managing