48-year-old boss expresses excitement at Tottenham’s ‘interesting’ transfer decision

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Republic of Ireland boss Stephen Kenny has labelled Tottenham’s decision to sign Matt Doherty as ‘interesting’, as he told Sky Sports.

There are very good times for Kenny, who has just taken the reigns of the senior Irish teams, because it means his players are playing at the top, top level.

Doherty has been playing in Europe for the last two seasons and following his recent switch to North London, he will now continue to play in one of the toughest competitions in the world.

Kenny, 48, was seemingly excited by the news because it allows him to then choose from a strong crop of players producing the goods at the highest level possible.

“It’s certainly an interesting move from Matt,” Kenny told Sky Sports. “He’s been a tremendous servant to Wolves. He has had a great 10 years there. Been in League One with them.

“He’s one of the best full-backs around for sure. I would say he would be very much in the frame to play [in the Nations League games]. His number of assists and goals. He’s a goalscoring full-back. If your full-backs are scoring goals then it’s a real asset.

“I think it’s great value for Tottenham. I think it’s a great deal for Tottenham.”

Doherty is competing with Seamus Coleman for Republic of Ireland’s number one right-back spot ahead of their Nations League matches against Bulgaria and Finland.

Even though Doherty has been doing bits for Wolves for a number of seasons now, he still hasn’t been able to cement a regular place in Ireland’s starting XI.

But this move to Spurs will help his cause because one thing Jose Mourinho will do is make him more defensively sound.

Doherty still has strong competition on his hands because Coleman is another underrated player motoring up and down that right-hand side in the Premier League.