Gold stars all round as debutants earn their stripes against USA

Debutants Cyrus Christie and David McGoldrick can be very pleased with their nights' work against the USA.

Ipswich Town striker McGoldrick is likely to win the most praise, thanks to two of the neatest assists seen at Lansdowne Road for some time, but Christie’s shift was impressive. After being caught a little flat-footed for Mix Diskerud’s first half equaliser he confidently grew into his role at right-back as the night wore on.

McGoldrick was on hand in the seventh minute to measure a perfectly weighted throughball that gave Anthony Pilkington no choice but to lift it over Bill Hamid and into the net to open the scoring. After the break, his cheeky backheel put Robbie Brady in space to double Ireland's tally before James McClean's deflected effort and Brady, again, rounded off a 4-1 home win with the sort of direct free-kick that left foot has promised to deliver for some time .

“I’m confident in my ability, I’d rather it be two goals myself but two assists is good,” said McGoldrick afterwards. “Playing with the boys, there are some great players in the team and it was a great experience.”

Currently plying his trade in the Championship, McGoldrick starts up front with clubmate Daryl Murphy and learned enough to convince himself that he has what it takes at international level.

“I feel I can play, yeah. Y’know, I believe in my ability, I’m doing it for my club but it’s another step forward here. We’ve got class strikers. I’m not taking nothing for granted, just great to play a part.

“Once the game gets going, you’re just playing a game. Things happen, you don’t realise what’s really happening.”

On his first crucial contribution, McGoldrick had praise for Pilkington, whose finish over Hamid was expertly clipped with the outside of his right boot.

“I got the ball off Pilks for the first one and he’s carried on his run, I’ve played it through to him and it’s a great finish from the lad. For Robbie, I cut it back for him and it was a great finish again. It was a really nice to get those two assists and the lads appreciated it. Both the goalscorers told me ‘nice ball’.”

Pilkinton was grateful for the returned pass that allowed him score his first for Ireland.

“David had a really great debut, as did Cyrus Christie, and I’m over the moon to get my first goal for my country. It was a great feeling and I’ll always remember it.

"I'm really pleased but most importantly it's a great result against a country that did really well in the World Cup. We're disappointed with the result on Friday night but this was really positive and we're happy to finish the year with it."

At the other end, Christie was assured on the ball and as Ireland exerted more pressure he was no onlooker as he posed an increasing threat going forward.

“I think it went really well tonight and there were some great performances from the lads and Shay (Given) pulled off some fantastic saves,” said the Derby County defender afterwards. “We began to control things in midfield and that allowed me to get forward. I work on getting forward and my crossing at Derby and it’s starting to pay off.

“The whole experience has been great. Obviously I knew a few of the lads already and that made things easier. Everyone gets along and that made it easier.

“I hadn’t even been to an international game before this week and it’s a fantastic achievement for me, and a dream to come true - it’s something I dreamed about as a kid. To pull on the Ireland jersey was fantastic. I’m just happy that I managed to play well. To get a win on your debut was a great feeling, it went according to plan.”