Dick knows what’s coming from Irish

LIKE Giovanni Trapattoni, Dick Advocaat is a manager of habit.

But whereas it’s Trap’s habit to name his team 24 hours before kick-off, it’s clearly not Dick’s.

Proof of that was provided here in Moscow yesterday when, in the middle of a press conference, the Russia manager was approached by a young local woman who handed him a sheet of paper to study.

She was from a sports website, she explained, and it was their own habit in the office to try to predict the manager’s starting line-up. Would Mr Advocaat care to have a look? He did, briefly, before looking up and saying, somewhat icily: “No comment.” And then with the briefest hint of a smile he added: “But it is incorrect.”

Habit seemed to be a recurring theme of Advocaat’s musings, especially when it came to his analysis of Russia’s opponents today. To paraphrase, you could say he regards Ireland’s greatest strength as their greatest weakness.

“We know that in principle Ireland have to win to stay in the group,” he said.

“They are a difficult team, yes, but we know the opponent. It doesn’t matter where they play, Hong Kong or wherever, they play the same system.

“Because we know the way they play, it doesn’t matter who plays for them. We cannot be surprised. They can bring an U21 team and the commitment will be 100%. In Dublin, we totally controlled the game for 60 minutes. Then the referee gave a present to Ireland and changed the game.

“But these things can happen because the Irish team always tries and never gives up. That is their temperament. They have players playing at a high level in England. You cannot underestimate them at all.”

Russia are without suspended midfielder Igor Denisov as well as injured first choice keeper Igor Akinfeyev for today’s game but Advocaat was much happier to shift the focus to the quality players he still has at his disposal.

Especially Andrey Arshavin who, having endured a lot of criticism from the Russian media and public in recent times, was widely adjudged to have had one of his best ever games under Advocaat in last week’s win over Macedonia.

“Last Friday, he played really well,” his manager enthused. “And I even thought he played well in the 8-2 defeat of Arsenal by Manchester United. He brought his normal game there and hopefully he can continue providing that threat.”

Asked if the visit of Ireland had moved him to seek inspiration from the memory of his Dutch side eliminating Jack Charlton’s team from the World Cup finals of 1994, Advocaat, although smiling, couldn’t help bringing back a rather more painful memory of that hot day in Orlando for the Irish media present in the room.

“Bonner is not in the goal now,” he chuckled. “But it was a great time, and after the game the friendship was great. There was a big party afterwards so in that way let the best team win tomorrow.”

Ah, but Dick, that’s the bit that worries us.