Stand-in stopper Darren O’Dea is determined to play his part towards Ireland’s European Championship goal.
The on-loan Celtic defender will deputise for the suspended Richard Dunne away to Andorra tonight knowing that two wins in their last two qualifiers will ensure Giovanni Trapatonni’s side a play-off place at worst.
Four nations in Group B all retain hopes of reaching the finals with tonight’s most important match taking place between Slovakia and Russia.
That match will be well into the second half when Ireland kick-off against Andorra with O’Dea remaining focussed on ensuring that Ireland take full points from the group minnows before hosting Armenia at the Aviva Stadium on Tuesday.
“As long as we keep them at bay, our job is done,” claimed the defender who will line up alongside Sean St Ledger. “We can’t win the game as defenders, an early goal is what you want but if it doesn’t come we can’t panic.
“We can’t get nervous if we’re not three or four up. It doesn’t work like that.
“A lot of the emphasis goes on the Moscow game (where Ireland drew 0-0) but it’s been a long campaign and there have been many other victories and important points. “Even the Slovakia game at the Aviva you look at that now and it doesn’t look too bad.
“This game is the important one and I don’t think there is any worry about it among the players other than what is riding on the match.”
Celtic’s Paul George was a late substitute yesterday as Ireland’s u-19 side opened their European Championship group in impressive style winning 4-1 away to Bulgaria. Last season Ireland reached the final of the European Championships where they lost to Spain.
IRELAND TEAM: Given (Aston Villa); O’Shea (Sunderland), St Ledger (Leicester), O’Dea (Leeds), Ward (Wolves); Duff (Fulham), Whelan (Stoke), Andrews (Ipswich), McGeady (Spartak Moscow); Doyle (Wolves), Keane (LA Galaxy, capt)
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On loan? I thought he was sold Joe?