Mick McCarthy has dismissed suggestions that starting Aaron Connolly in Switzerland would be a risk.

The Ireland manager gave the Brighton forward a late cameo against Georgia on Saturday.

That was the 19-year-old Galway native's senior Boys in Green debut. Speaking at Monday's Ireland press conference in Geneva ahead of the crucial qualifier against the Swiss, Mick McCarthy denied that starting the youngster would be a risk.

"Asking me would I risk him, [means there's] some suggestion that there is. But I don't think there is," he said.

Cameo

"He's now made his debut and he had a cameo and did well. I think he'll be feeling comfortable about himself. So I don't think it would be a risk at all."

But he did also suggest that if he starts him, it will be part of a front-two rather than as a lone striker.

12 October 2019; Aaron Connolly of Republic of Ireland in action against Jano Ananidze of Georgia during the UEFA EURO2020 Qualifier match between Georgia and Republic of Ireland at the Boris Paichadze Erovnuli Stadium in Tbilisi, Georgia. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

"Someone to support him, yes. I wouldn't want him to be isolated, that's for sure. [Switzerland] play three at the back and I think putting Aaron into that - if I decided to do it - putting him up on his own would be a big ask on him."

After the Georgia match, McCarthy had admitted he was happy to take four points from six against the side from the Caucusus. He reiterated that sentiment two days on.

"We won a point," he said, as opposed to two points lost.

"If you asked me prior to the tournament starting, if we got four points from Georgia, I would have took that."

You can also watch the full press conference with Mick McCarthy and Seamus Coleman above via YouTube.

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