Stephen Kenny's appointment as the boss of the Irish senior football team was met with widespread excitement and Gary Breen believes the public should be optimistic about the months ahead.

Former international, Breen, who joined OTB AM on Tuesday, believes the options at Kenny's disposal bodes well for success in the future.

"Timing is everything and I think Stephen Kenny is taking over this team at just the right time. Ireland are getting Stephen Kenny at just the right time."

Much of the excitement has centred around the injection of youth into the senior set-up, that hasn't really been seen since the likes of Robbie Brady and Jeff Hendrick were introduced, all those years ago.

A lot of the young talent, such as Norwich City's Adam Idah, Millwall's (on- loan from Brighton) Jayson Molumby and Southampton's Michael Obafemi have excelled at their respective clubs this season when called to first-team duties.

Defensively, Ireland look like they will be a hard unit to break down.

John Egan has been magnificent for Sheffield United this season, while Seamus Coleman has seen an uptick in his form at Everton since the return of the Premier League.

"Seamus Coleman since the restart has shown his real quality, he looks like he's got his energy back," said Breen.

Matt Doherty, who will compete with Coleman for a starting place at right-full, has gone from strength-to-strength with Wolves, impressing both domestically and in Europe for his club.

Further up the pitch, the return of James McCarthy to full and sustained fitness has also impressed Breen, while the burgeoning wealth of options in the forward positions, ensures that Kenny has a number of positive problems to look forward to once the senior side regroups.

The key to the new manager hitting the ground running is keeping the entire squad fit and hungry, according to Breen, before they meet ahead of the rescheduled Euro 2021 qualification clash with Slovakia.

Damien Delaney and Johnny Ward discussed the possibility of Ireland adapting their formation to a back three, on Saturday's Off The Ball. It is an option that Kenny may employ in order to get the best out of Egan, who likely will be a mainstay in the Irish back four.

Breen agreed with Ward that Kenny will not adjust his entire approach just because Sheffield United have used this formation so effectively, however, he did not think the idea was completely out of the question.

"Form and history suggest it wouldn't be [three at the back] that, but I wouldn't rule it out. Just because John Egan is excelling in a back three, does not mean that he's going to change his whole ethos in terms of what he believes," said Breen.

Kenny will ultimately be flexible and choose the system that suits the players he has at his disposal, said the former Irish defender.

With regards Egan, Breen is of the opinion that the Corkman can adopt to either formation.

"I think John can play in a three, he can play comfortably in a two as well," he said.

Breen also discussed Manchester United's vast improvement over the last number of weeks, that has led to considerable excitement amongst their supporters.

Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial, and Mason Greenwood have all flourished for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer since the Premier League restart, but it is new boy Bruno Fernandes who has made all the difference in turning United's fortunes for the better.

While agreeing that United are on the correct path, Breen doesn't feel that the current iteration of the side can bridge the gap to Liverpool and City unless they can improve defensively.

"There's still a vulnerability about that United back four. A real top quality centre-half will make a real difference to Manchester United."

Kalidou Koulibaly of Napoli and RB Leipzig's Dayot Upemacano have been mooted as potential transfer targets for United this summer.

Breen's entire conversation with Ger Gilroy and Eoin Sheahan can be viewed above.

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