There’s no getting away from the fact that the last few days have been very tough and although it would have been easy not to write this piece — especially in the midst of all the headlines surrounding the manager’s position — I think it’s important that the fans know exactly how much we the players and all the backroom staff here are hurting.

SO here we are, finally, on the eve of Euro 2012 and what, for me, will be the three biggest games of my life. With, hopefully, a few more to come. Although I’m fully aware of the magnitude of what’s at stake, one of the biggest things for me and for all the lads is that we play the game and not the occasion. As it happens, I’ve always felt that the big pressure games bring out the best in our team and I’m hoping that will be the case again in the Euros.

My intention this week, for one week only, is to make this a Euros free-zone.

We were all eagerly anticipating the squad announcement on Monday.

If Roy Hodgson’s appointment as England manager came as a surprise to many people, then imagine how shocked we were at West Brom.

Falling in love with the game. Falling out of love with the game. And now, after years of thinking his chance had passed him by, the opportunity to represent his country at the European Championship finals. West Brom and Ireland midfielder Keith Andrews tells his story