Uefa Nations League: Republic of Ireland attitude ‘first-class’ – Carla Ward

Republic of Ireland manager Carla Ward has praised the mental attitude of the squad before her first game in charge on Friday night against Turkey.

The former Aston Villa, Sheffield United and Birmingham City boss succeeded Eileen Gleeson in the post last month.

Tallaght Stadium in Dublin will host the Uefa Nations League opener with the Republic of Ireland back in action after the Euro 2025 play-offs defeat by Wales in December.

“They’ve been top-drawer,” said the Isle of Wight-born Ward on Thursday.

“I’ve been saying to them this morning that the application, the attitude from every single one of them this week has been first-class.”

Liverpool forward Leanne Kiernan will miss the game because of a calf injury but could possibly return for Tuesday’s away encounter against Slovenia.

Ward, who brought in former Republic of Ireland men’s international Alan Mahon as her assistant, laid out her footballing philosophy.

“A very clear way of playing – I’d like to think we’ve been very clear in what we want from everybody. Me and Alan, you’ve probably seen already, we like energy, we like personality.

“I think we want to see that in players, give them a little bit of freedom to go express themselves, I think you’ll see that. We’ll see after the game but I’d like to think you will see that.”