FIFA 14: Best Irish team

Let’s pick out the best Irish team in FIFA 14 and see if they have the pedigree to upset the top sides in the game. Nicknamed ‘The Green Army’, the Irish outfit disappointed an entire nation after failing to qualify for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. They now they have to wait further and build a strong squad to make it to Russia in 2018. We will go in with the 4-2-3-1 formation and pick out the best players as per the ratings in the game for each of those positions.

Goalkeeper – Shay Given

Shay Given in action for Aston Villa

Overall rating – 76

Potential rating – 76

Ireland’s best keeper is Shay Given. He plays for Aston Villa in the premier league and has previously played for the likes of Manchester City, Newcastle United and Blackburn Rovers. He is rated at 76 in the game, but do not expect him to grow further if you use him in the career mode. In fact, he might retire immediately after one season as he will already be 37 years old in the game.

Right Back – Seamus Coleman

Coleman had a terrific season at Everton and is expected to carry forward with his form

Overall rating – 72

Potential rating – 79

Rated just 72 in the game, but expect that to shoot up a bit after a brilliant season at Everton which almost brought them in to the Champions League. He should be your first choice right back for Ireland ahead of Steven Reid. If you play Coleman in career mode, he can reach up to 79 in a few seasons depending on how well you play with him.

Centre-back – John O’Shea

O’Shea during EURO 2012 with the Irish fans in background

Overall rating – 75

Potential rating – 75

John O’Shea spent the best years of his career at Manchester United where he won the premier league title five times and the Champions League once. He then moved to Sunderland in 2011 and has been there ever since. In the game he is rated 75, but is not expected to improve if picked in career mode. Even at the age of 32, he is still Ireland’s best CB in the game.

Centre-back – Richard Dunne

Dunne might have retired from playing for Ireland, but you can still pick him in FIFA 14

Overall rating – 74

Potential rating – 74

Another Irish veteran who has played in the English Premier League for more than a decade. He is now a part of QPR, but has previously played for Everton, Manchester City and Aston Villa. He is 33 years old in the game and hence that rating of 74 won’t improve in the career mode, but he is stil quite handy and forms a decent partnership at the back with O’shea.

Left Back – Joey O’Brien

Joey O’Brien has not made many appearances for Ireland

Overall rating – 70

Potential rating – 72

Despite not having made too many appearances for Ireland, O’Brien should be your first choice left back. He is a versatile player and can also play at right back. He moved to West Ham in 2011 and before that he was playing for Bolton Wanderers. His overall rating is 70 with a potential to reach 72 if used in the career mode.

Central Defensive Midfielder – Darron Gibson 

Gibson in action for Ireland during the World Cup qualifiers

Overall rating – 77

Potential rating – 79

After spending a few seasons at Manchester United, Gibson has now moved to Everton and is now at the peak of his career in terms of age. So that overall rating of 77 can shoot up to 79 in career mode and he should be your first choice holding midfielder for Ireland in FIFA 14.

Central Defensive Midfielder – James McCarthy

McCarthy gained recognition while playing for Wigan Athletic and then joined Everton

Overall rating – 75

Potential rating – 83

Definitely one for the future. Just 22 years old in the game and with a potential of 83, McCarthy is a must in the Irish line up. He had a great time at Wigan Athletic despite his team going down in the league, but the very next season he was snapped up by Roberto Martinez at Everton thus ensuring that the duo join forces again at a new club.

Right Winger – Aiden McGeady

McGeady seen in action here for Ireland

Overall rating – 79

Potential rating – 82

McGeady with a rating of 79 edges out the veteran Damien Duff for a spot in the starting eleven. Duff will be 34 years old in the game and is rated 77, but McGeady can grow up to 82 and hence he should be your first choice. He had a great career with Celtic winning four league titles and is currently at Everton like some of his Irish team mates.

Central Attacking Midfielder – Stephen Ireland

Ireland had a great career at Manchester City before joining Aston Villa

Overall rating – 76

Potential rating – 76

There is nothing much to choose between Stephen Ireland and Norwich City’s Wes Hoolahan, as they are both rated 76 in the game. But Ireland’s age gives him an added advantage since Hoolahan can drop ratings quickly if used in the career mode and more importantly considering the position they play in, Ireland’s vision attribute gives him the nod ahead.

Left Winger – James McClean

James McClean celebrating a goal for Wigan

Overall rating – 73

Potential rating – 79

One more spot where there was very little to choose from, but it’s Wigan Athletic’s James McClean who gets to play ahead of Norwich’s Anthony Pilkington. Both are rated 73 in the game, but McClean’s speed attribute is much higher and that’s considered a very important trait for a winger. 

Striker – Robbie Keane

Keane is Ireland’s all time leading goal scorer

Overall rating – 79

Potential rating – 79

A name that’s well known in the football circles, Robbie Keane will be your go to man while playing for Ireland in FIFA 14. 33 years old but still going strong, he is currently playing for the Los Angeles Galaxy in the United States after plying his trade in England most notably for Tottenham and Liverpool. He alongside McGeady are the highest rated Irish players in the game.