Team 33 | Denmark manager explains logic behind Martin O'Neill's Cyrus Christie call

One of the more puzzling selections from an Ireland point of view saw Cyrus Christie deployed in midfield against Denmark in Saturday night's UEFA Nations League draw. 

The Fulham and former Middlesbrough player hasn't featured in that position since he was an academy player and his professional career has seen him make his name as a right-back and less frequently further forward on the wing.

Ultimately, Christie fared reasonably OK in the circumstances during the 0-0 draw at the Aviva Stadium and registered Ireland's only shot on target with a long-range effort that was dealt with by Kasper Schmeichel.

Speaking to Team 33 at the Denmark team hotel on Sunday, Danish national team manager Åge Hareide felt his former Norwich and Manchester City team-mate Martin O'Neill had a certain logic in mind behind his decision.

You can listen to the full interview on the podcast player below or on iTunes as well as the video player above:  

"I think he put Christie on that side [of midfield] because he needed quicker feet against Pione Sisto," he told me.

"Sisto was really good in the last match [against Ireland in the World Cup] qualifiers and I think Christie made a difference. So at least two full backs on that side to handle Pione Sisto and I think that's why Christie played in there." 

In the full chat which you can watch above, Hareide also talks about his time as a team-mate of O'Neill's.

And Denmark and Huddersfield Town defender Mathias 'Zanka' Jorgensen discussed the origin of his nickname, facing Shane Long, scoring at the 2018 World Cup against finalists Croaita and the second season in the Premier League with Huddersfield.