“The two games last time were big games, to beat Germany is fantastic”. I’ll certainly be ready.
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“But I have to say, we didn’t miss John O’Shea”.
“Rob would obviously love to play, but perhaps he’s not completely right. I think John and the board would want it to continue and I have enjoyed it immensely”.
According to O’Neill, the next 24 hours could prove critical to the prospects of the match victor against Germany having a chance to replicate his heroics in the play-off against Bosnia.
“The boring answer is that’s just all part of sport, part of football and whatever happens, the lads who start on Friday night will give it everything they’ve got, and that’s all we can hope for”.
“I would wait until the last possible moment”.
O’Neill also addressed the prospect of Shane Long, who was taken off with an ankle injury in the defeat against Poland which consigned Ireland to the play-offs.
However, O’Neill admitted he was slightly perplexed by Elliot’s situation after his starring role in the Magpies’ 1-0 Barclays Premier League win at Bournemouth.
Steve McClaren does not want goalkeeper Robert Elliot to be called up for the Republic of Ireland national team.
“Make no mistake about it, the games will be hard, but you wouldn’t be expecting any sort of walk-over in play-off games”. You’d have to be a soothsayer to know someone is going to be fit.
The LA Galaxy striker is his country’s leading goalscorer and insists he is not finished yet, adding: “I still have a lot to offer”.
He said: “We’re in a different era now”.
Allardyce said: “No, I don’t think so, but he will be talking to them”. Well, when were you not? Did you slip in the bath?
Squad captain Robbie Keane believed it would be “silly” for O’Neill not to be retained after a battling qualification campaign. The experience has not led to success, however, as they have only qualified twice. “Our defending was very, very good”.
Long stayed behind at his club all week for treatment, but Saints’ doctors delivered the bad news to O’Neill on Wednesday. I’m sure everyone will be fighting for a spot.
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“There have been one or two games lately when he has really stepped up to the plate”, said Keane, “And he will have to do that on Friday”.
