Callum O'Dowda of Bristol City has been thrust into the forefront of Ireland's World Cup qualification bid. The adopted Irishman – the grandson of the legendary Irish tenor Brendan O'Dowda– has been chosen ahead of both Wes Hoolahan and Glenn Whelan for tonight's crunch World Cup play-off against Denmark.

O'Dowda can play wide (generally on the left) or in the position 'behind the striker' – which is where he might be used tonight. Confident, quick and determined, the Bristol City player is a natural footballer, who likes running at the opposition. He also has an eye for goal, having got on the score-sheet recently for the Championship contenders.

His inclusion means that there is no room for either pundits' favourite Wes Hoolahan or the more defensively-minded Glenn Whelan. As a result, Harry Arter and Jeff Hendrick will be the defensive midfielders, whose mission will be to shield the back four, in what is otherwise a predictable line-up. The wide-men will be likely be James McClean (pictured) and O'Dowda - though there is a possibility that Brady might be given a wide role, with either McClean or O'Dowda dropping inside.

The full team reads: Randolph; Christie, Duffy, Clark (captain), Ward; Brady, Arter, Hendrick, McClean; O'Dowda; Murphy.

The selection of Daryl Murphy means that there is no room for Shane Long – though the Southampton striker is likely to be introduced at some stage, as Murphy is unlikely to last for the entire 90 minutes.

The stage is now set for a fascinating contest. We will not end with the cliché "May the better team win." Because we desperately, to put it bluntly, want Ireland to win.

(offstage) "Up the Repubbellic."