Kenny takes criticism on the chin

Republic of Ireland boss Stephen Kenny says he's not letting criticism of him in the wake of the defeat to Luxembourg affect him in any way.

The former Dundalk boss is without a win in 10 games as Ireland manager following the defeat to Luxembourg on Saturday night. Kenny has come in for some intense criticism following the result, however he says he's not letting it bother him.

"Luxembourg have drawn with France [in 2018] and France went on to win the World Cup.

"They've beaten other countries, it's not the Luxembourg of old. We can't be disrespectful but our expectation is we should be beating them at home, and we didn't, and you have to accept criticism for that.  

"I want to build a team that really exhilarates Irish football and that's it - there's nothing more than that.

"We hit a low getting beaten by Luxembourg, and we've got to take that on the chin.

"Some of our play has been nothing short of brilliant against Slovakia and Serbia, and we'll continue to build on that and get better again - that's the way I feel about it."

Kenny will be looking to pick up his first win tonight as the Boys in Green face Qatar in a friendly game in Hungary. Matt Doherty and Enda Stevens have both been ruled out of that game through injury.

Kenny though says their opponents will be no pushovers tonight.

"Qatar have beaten the other two teams this week, Azerbaijan and Luxembourg, they won the Asia Cup beating Japan to their credit, they were in the Copa America with Argentina and Columbia.

"They've done very well over all, football wise they've been very good."

Kick off in Debrecen tonight is at 7.45.

There's also action in Ireland's World Cup qualifying group this evening. 

Luxembourg play host to group favourites Portugal from 7.45. 

While Serbia are away to Azerbaijan from 5. 

Also in qualifying action tonight are Wales - they face the Czech Republic - with the Group E game in Cardiff underway at 7.45.