IRELAND BOSS MARTIN O’Neill insists his side will fear no one at this summer’s European Championships.
The Boys in Green were paired in a difficult group alongside Belgium, Italy and Sweden, but a famous 1-0 win over Germany in the qualifiers has ensured confidence is high ahead of the big games in June.
Speaking ahead of tomorrow night’s friendly with Switzerland at the Aviva Stadium, O’Neill also cited Leicester City’s unexpected rise to the top of the Premier League as another reason for Irish fans to optimistic ahead of this summer’s event.
“I just think they’ve given people hope that you can, not only compete, but be successful,” he said.
“After Germany, the players feel as if they’re capable of beating anyone.”
And while they are in confident mood, O’Neill says that, along with his staff, he will meticulously study as much DVD footage as possible of Ireland’s upcoming Euro 2016 opponents.
We will be DVD’d and video’d out (by the time the Euros roll around). If we get beaten by Sweden, it won’t be because we don’t know their players,” he added.
With Jon Walters, Jeff Hendrick and Harry Arter all previously ruled out, the Irish boss today confirmed that Anthony Pilkington and Robbie Keane were both added to the list of players unavailable for tomorrow night’s match. The duo, however, are still in contention to feature against Slovakia on Tuesday.
The 64-year-old coach said that his starting XI would likely feature a mix of senior stars and less experienced players, with Shane Duffy highlighted as one player set to get game time either tomorrow or on Tuesday.
We want to experiment, be competitive and keep the momentum going,” the former Celtic and Villa boss said.
However, O’Neill added that he would not necessarily give players game time just for the sake of it.
“It should work the other way — the players should have game time at their clubs.
“There’s obviously the occasional exception. Aiden McGeady wasn’t getting games at Everton — he went to Sheff Wed. It’s great that he’s gone and done that.”
He continued: “There definitely are positions up for grabs. Players should take this opportunity to feel as if they’ve got a chance.
“The players coming in late have a bit to do, everything has to go well, but it’s not impossible (that they’ll make the Euros squad).
If someone starts tomorrow night and does really well, I don’t see why that should stop them from playing on Tuesday night.”
O’Neill says that he has a good idea of a number of players who’ll feature in the Euros squad, but admits he has “a few difficult decisions to make” ahead of his squad announcement on 28 May.
In addition to the three friendlies already organised, there is speculation of a fourth match after the squad announcement in Turner’s Cross, with Belarus rumoured to be the opponents.
O’Neill is enthused by the prospect of playing in Cork, and admits that it will be a “tough ask” for people to come and support the team in the Aviva on Easter weekend.
I’m never disappointed with a crowd here — right back to Scotland or England before that.
“It’s a lot of money to support football in general. People might want to save up to go to France… If nobody turns up, I wouldn’t blame anybody.”
And finally, when asked whether players’ wives would be accompanying the squad to the Euros, O’Neill tried to make light of the question and said:
“It depends on how good looking the girls are. If they’re really attractive, they’re very welcome. The uglier ones I’m afraid not.”
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