McGeady: We can shake things up at Euros

Ireland international Aiden McGeady says the country should have nothing to fear in this summer’s European Championships and believes Ireland can get out of their group despite having to face off against the World and European champions.

Speaking after the annual FAI Awards, McGeady revealed how much he was looking forward to Euro 2012 in Poland and Ukraine after stating he wakes up at night dreaming about the championships.

“I’m still on a high really since November; everyone is still buzzing about it and I’m looking forward to the first time we get together in May and then obviously the Championships themselves. I wake up at night dreaming about it.”

And the Spartak Moscow winger has no doubt Ireland can compete with the best Europe has to offer insisting the fact the country has qualified means they fully deserve to be there.

“The fact that we’re there speaks volumes really” he said. “We weren’t expected to qualify and we did. Now that we’re there we going to try get out of the group but we’re obviously in a very tough group.

“Our record has been good against Italy in the last few years and Croatia we played them here a few years and drew 0-0. Spain are the favourites to win the whole competition but it’s not totally unrealistic for us to get out of the group. We’ve got a good set of players and we’re due our place in the tournament. We’ll give ourselves every chance.”

The recent call-up of James McClean to the Irish squad by manager Giovanni Trapattoni means McGeady faces stiff competition if he is to retain his position on Ireland’s left wing – a position the former Celtic star has made his own. However, McGeady welcomes the inclusion of McClean and believes increased competition for places can only be good for the side.

“Of course the more players you’ve got in the team playing in the Premier ship is going to be healthy for the squad. They (the new players in the squad) have done very well and they’ll be good additions to the squad

“There’s always players vying for the same position on national teams and if there’s a player who’s going to take your place you need to up your game. I try and up my game anyway but of course if I do people will say it’s down to the fact someone is breathing down my neck but I’ll see what happens and try to do better anyway.”

Speaking about Sunderland’s McClean, McGeady said he hadn’t seen much of the rising star but has been hugely impressed on the occasions he did.

“The last few months I’ve been in training camps in Spain and in places and I haven’t seem that much football but I’ve seen bits and pieces her and there and obviously he’s been performing well and he looks a really good prospect, He’s direct and pacey and he’s a good crosser and obviously has a knack of scoring goals as well. He’s been doing really well and well worth his call-up.”

Looking forward to Tuesday night’s game against the Czech Republic, McGeady said it was another opportunity show the manager what individual players can do. “It’s the last real game before the Euro’s so it’s a big chance for everyone to try and impress and get in the manager’s final squad selection for the Euros.”