Seamus Coleman named the new Ireland captain
Seamus Coleman is fit to start his first game of the season and has been handed the captaincy of Ireland for good measure, .
The armband was up for grabs after the retirement of Robbie Keane and Coleman, who lead the Boys in Green in their final Euro 2016 games against Italy and France, has been given the nod.
He is joined in defence by John O’Shea, who also passed a fitness test, Richard Keogh and Stephen Ward.
That means Robbie Brady will line out in midfield as he succeeds record goal-scorer Keane as the wearer of the prestigious number 10 jersey.
And Ireland's new number 10 is.... #COYBIG pic.twitter.com/qbxd84lj8I
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) September 5, 2016
Brady will line out alongside Burnley’s Jeff Hendrick and Glenn Whelan.
Shane Long will lead the line, with Jon Walters and James McClean offering support from the wings.
BREAKING: The Ireland side to face Serbia has been announced with Seamus Coleman captaining the team. #COYBIG pic.twitter.com/f1OHWAh0gH
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) September 5, 2016
Shane Duffy, James McCarthy and Daryl Murphy are the three who miss out from Ireland's 2-1 defeat against France in June.
Ireland Subs: Westwood (GK), Rogers (GK), Clark, McGeady, Arter, McShane, Hoolahan, Christie, Meyler, Wilson, Murphy, Quinn. #COYBIG
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) September 5, 2016
Meanwhile, Serbia line up without the suspended Aleksandar Kolarov and Nemanja Matic.
Serbia Starting 11:
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) September 5, 2016
Rajkovic (GK), Rukavina, Gudelj, Nastasic, Ivanovic (c), Mitrovic, Tadic, Mladenovic, Milivojevic, Kostic, Vukovic.
