Steve Guppy admits pressure growing ahead of Euros

As Martin O’Neill prepares to name his squad for the penultimate Euros warm-up game against the Netherlands this lunchtime, Ireland coach Steve Guppy admits the pressure is mounting with the ever closer approach of the big kick-off in France.

“We’re certainly meeting up more and more,” he says. “There’s an awful lot of things to discuss. I’m frightening myself half to death watching our opponents in the evenings, as many DVDs as I can. Every team we play has world-class stars but you’ve got to watch them and cling onto anything you can mention to the manager that may help.”

Scouting out potential players for Ireland is another part of Guppy’s role. “Harry Arter for example. I was living down that way (Bournemouth) so it was great to be able to see him and Eunan O’Kane, and if I thought that they were really doing well I’d mention it to the manager. Then I’d travel down with him and, it was funny, it was almost like my player and you’re a little bit nervous, hoping that he’ll play well.”

As to his input on the training ground, Guppy explains: “It’s difficult because you’re not with them that long. Really, when you’re working with the wingers or whatever, it’s more of a project that goes on for the season.”

On what O’Neill brings to the cause, Guppy observes: “He’s a brilliant manager. I played for him myself so I know the way in which he really gets the players galvanised, moving in the right direction. I think, throughout the campaign, you’ve witnessed that.”

Meanwhile, N’Golo Kante has hinted he is planning to stay at Leicester, by plotting their Champions League assault.

The midfielder has been linked with a move away this summer after playing a starring role in their shock title win.

However, Kante admitted he is still looking at playing in the Champions League with the Foxes next season.

He said: “The Champions League next season will be new for me but I hear good things. We don’t know (if they can surprise in Europe), we have just joined at this moment, we will see.”

Steve Guppy was a guest at Show Racism The Red Card’s annual Creative Competition prize-giving ceremony in the Aviva Stadium yesterday, and says that he found “inspirational” the work of some 600 children on the subject of combating racism.