“Fingers crossed. It’s looking more positive than six or seven days ago”, O’Neill told FAI TV.
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He said: “There’s always pressure on everything you do in a game, so if it is my job at the time to put in a good delivery, there’s obviously going to be a little bit of pressure on me to do it”.
Jonathan Walters remains the only significant injury doubt with an Achilles tendon problem.
Jon Walters was back on the field for Ireland as they trained before an adoring crowd under blazing sunshine in Versailles. “Obviously initially I panicked a little bit but then within 24 hours it had settled down”. What we decided with the medical staff was we would try to keep as close to how the boys would be preparing, let’s say, for club football and with Monday’s game in mind, we’ll train a couple of days beforehand.
He added: “It was a decent enough session for him, it’s not as if he just walked around”.
O’Neill will use the weekend to finalise his preparations for what is likely to be a key game for Ireland with excitement levels rising by the day. “Of course, I am supporting France in the tournament but both myself and this city will have an emotional attachment to the Irish team and we expect that feeling will be even stronger after tomorrow’s open training session, which will be filled with local children”.
‘You are coming in on Wednesday and you forget the competition is starting so quickly.
Meanwhile, the FAI last night said that they have completed a refinancing agreement which will reduce the size of their borrowings arising from the construction of the Aviva Stadium.
“Bank of Ireland has worked with a number of sporting organisations over the years on initiatives including sponsorships and funding, so we’re particularly proud to collaborate on this important transaction which ensures the FAI has a sound financial platform and is well positioned for continued success and growth”.
However, the 64-year-old said a shake of hands with Football Association of Ireland chief executive John Delaney was all he needed to accept the new deal before the start of Euro 2016.
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“Denis has been a great supporter of the FAI for many years, and will continue to contribute to the salaries of our senior management team for the 2018 campaign”.
