James McClean on Ireland’s slim Euro qualification hopes: ‘We’re not naïve, we know it’s going to be tough, very tough.’

James McClean: 'there is a lot of football to be played between now and the end of the campaign.'

James McClean: 'there is a lot of football to be played between now and the end of the campaign.' Credit: Peter Fitzpatrick (ETPhotos)

Macdara Ferris reports from FAI HQ in Abbotstown

While Liam Brady called the current Republic of Ireland squad “the worst group of players that any manager has had in my lifetime”, Ireland skipper for Monday's game against Gibraltar James McClean wasn’t drawn into a war of words with the Ireland legend.

“I'd be very stupid and naive for me to sit here and take on Liam Brady and criticise Liam Brady with the calibre of player that he was,” said McClean who will captain the Boys in Green on Monday for his 100th cap.

Reflecting on the 2-1 defeat in Athens on Friday, McClean said: “In terms of results wise, there was disappointment, anger and frustration because we weren't at our best.”

Ireland had a ten day training camp in Türkiye in the build-up to the game in Greece but Stephen Kenny’s side looked second best against Greece for most of the match.

“We prepared very well and were confident going into the game and it just didn't happen but that happens in football but look, we have a tendency, especially in this country, to get carried away.

“We are two games in now. This country in the past has shown that we have big results in us when no one has expected it. So there is a lot of football to be played between now and the end of the campaign.”

Having lost both qualifiers so far, Ireland sit just above Gibraltar in the table on goal difference with the visitors having lost their three group games.

With France having nine points from the nine available, Ireland are well off the pace with the Greeks six points clear of the Boys in Green who are three behind a Dutch side who have been playing in the UEFA Nations League finals this weekend - they lost 3-2 in the semi-final to Italy.



“We’re not naïve, we know it’s going to be tough, very tough, but we have to start somewhere, and we aim to do that on Monday night against Gibraltar and take it a game at a time.” 

Stephen Kenny spoke about handing the armband to McClean for Monday's match.

"James McClean will captain the team. John Egan is captain in Seamus’ absence. In discussion with John, he’s fully supportive of James being captain tomorrow.

"It’s a special day for James and his family. I gave him his league debut when he was a teenager. To see him get 100 caps will be very special."

About Macdara Ferris

Macdara Ferris is a contributor since 2007 to Hoops Scene (Shamrock Rovers' match day programme) and is the co-author of two books on Shamrock Rovers - 'Tallaght Time: Shamrock Rovers 2009 to 2012' (with Karl … View Full Profile