Rosicky: we’ll give Ireland a reality Czech

KAREL BRUCKNER is a man under pressure and it shows. He spent 28 minutes speaking to the media at Sparta Prague’s Axa Arena, most of it accompanied by deep sighs and withering looks.

Tonight’s fixture is an all-or-nothing occasion for the Czech coach. Win, and they are all but qualified for the European Championships. Lose, and he is all but out of a job.

Feted as one of the continent’s most exciting teams as recently as Euro 2004, the Czechs are a more pedestrian, defensively-minded team these days since the retirements of Pavel Nedved, Karel Poborsky and Vladimir Smicer.