O'Neill and his boys in green not fazed by French Test

From Macdara Ferris in Paris

Martin O’Neill’s men won’t be taking things easy on World Cup bound France in Monday night’s friendly. O’Neill is focussed on giving his players plenty of game time against world class opposition before the Republic of Ireland begin their UEFA Nations League campaign in the Autumn against Wales and Denmark.

“We are unable to take things easy,” said O’Neill speaking to the assembled Irish and French press at the Stade de France on Sunday afternoon.

 “It is a big test for us obviously with France going to the World Cup and we are part of their preparations before they head to Russia.

“For us, it is great preparation for the Euro League (sic) which is coming up in the September, October and November especially for the number of inexperienced players we have in the squad.”

Those inexperienced players include a duo from the League of Ireland. Bohs ‘keeper  Shane Supple and Shamrock Rovers forward Graham Burke are part of the squad and O’Neill’s captain Seamus Coleman spoke about those SSE Airtricity call ups in Sunday's press conference (see here).

When Denmark manager Age Hareide’s comments about the French team being nothing special were put to the Ireland manager, O’Neill disagreed and made a tongue-in-cheek comment about his former teammate.

“I know the Danish coach. I used to play with him. Very nice man but not such a great player himself! Highly dangerous to talk about that!

“I think the French individually are well equipped. They have been strong for some time. He may be referring to sometimes that there is a feeling that the French are not always united. Personally I think they are very strong.

“The (Euro 2016) final against Portugal was a big disappointment for them in particular. They should have that big determination to rectify that and have a big tournament. Individually I think the French have very strong players indeed.

“France are considered a top nation in the world of football probably since 1982 in the World Cup with Platini when Northern Ireland played them. Outside of Brazil, they were as good as anyone in that competition.

"In 1984 they continued on (winning the European Championship) and won a World Cup in 1998 so they are a major force.”

O’Neill is hoping that his players are inspired by coming up against top class opposition in the match in Paris on Monday with holidays awaiting the Boys in Green after the games against France and the USA are complete next week.

“If I was playing in this game for the Republic of Ireland I wouldn’t consider that I was winding down to the end (of the season) in this match. I would say it is an honour to play in this match, particularly if I had no caps or one, two or three.

“It would be really important to my progress as an international player to see where I stand. You could not get a stronger motivation.”

Ireland team out training on the Stade de France pitch pic.twitter.com/faj8F1hAev

— Extratime.ie (@ExtratimeNews) May 27, 2018

extratime.ie will be reporting from the Stade de France in Paris on Monday bringing you all the pre-match buildup, match updates and post-match reaction.