MARTIN O’NEILL HAS admitted Ireland’s Euro 2016 draw ‘couldn’t be tougher’ but says he’s relishing the challenge.
The Boys in Green have been paired alongside Belgium, currently ranked number one in the world, four-time World Cup winners Italy and Sweden in Group E.
Ireland find themselves in one of the toughest groups and O’Neill recognises his side will face need to perform at their best to progress past the group stages.
“Well it couldn’t be tougher really,” he told RTÉ. “I mean when you think Italy should be in Pot 1, so you’re effectively talking about two Pot 1 teams but even still it’s there to digest, the matches will be very difficult but we’ll treat it accordingly when the time comes around.
“The matches will be very difficult. But they are games to look forward to and we have a couple of months to prepare for them.
“There are lots of plots and sub-plots, I don’t think the fans’ enthusiasm will be diminished by the draw, in fact I think they might even be enhanced.”
Ireland will begin their campaign against Sweden in Paris on Monday 13 June before facing Belgium in Bordeaux and Italy in Lille.
“The rankings can vary and change a bit but we know they’re [Belgium] are a very decent side, they’ve world class players in their team and Italy are Italy, of course, and then we follow up with Sweden too but they’re games to look forward to and that’s the most important thing.”
It will be the fourth time Ireland will face the Azzurri at a major tournament after meetings at Italia 90, USA 94 and Euro 2012.
Ireland’s preparations for the tournament will begin in March with two friendlies against Switzerland and a yet-to-be-confirmed opponent.
