Whelan: Let’s lift the nation

GLENN WHELAN has challenged his Irish team-mates to lift the mood of a nation beset by financial woe by beating Estonia and qualifying for the European Championship.

Giovanni Trapattoni’s side are odds-on favourites to qualify for the tournament for the first time since 1988 after being drawn to play a side some 34 places below them in the world rankings.

But midfielder Whelan has highlighted a greater incentive for victory, as he believes the national side could provide a beacon for the country as economic worries dominate the news bulletins and unemployment stands at 14.5%.

It certainly increases the pressure on every member of Trapattoni’s squad, but Whelan is confident they can rise to the challenge.

And the Stoke City midfielder has pointed to the example of the Irish rugby team that came up just short in New Zealand.

Declan Kidney’s side lost to Wales in the quarter-finals, having gloriously defeated Australia in the pool stages, but their four games were memorable for the army of green in the stands.

And Whelan is convinced if Trapattoni and his men can overcome Estonia then the nation will reward them by travelling in their tens of thousands to Poland and Ukraine for next summer’s tournament — whether they can afford to or not.

“People have talked about the fact that the country is in a bit of trouble financially and that everything is doom and gloom,” said Whelan, who has 34 caps for his country since making his debut in 2008.

“If we qualify and get to the European Championship it will give everyone a lift — not just ourselves, our family and friends but the whole country, and that’s what we are going to try and do.

“Can we be a beacon to the whole country with everything that’s going on? Absolutely.

“There might be more pressure because of that, but it’s pressure you want to have. It’s good pressure because we know that everyone is behind us. And if we do qualify then we will get loads of fans behind us. Poland and Ukraine would be full of Irish. Hopefully we can give them something to scream about.

“The big thing over the last few weeks was the Irish rugby team, and you could see just how many fans went out to New Zealand to support them. They turn up in numbers anywhere!”

And although Whelan says Ireland cannot underestimate Estonia, they will head to Talinn for the first leg fully aware that they will qualify if they maintain their recent form.

Trapattoni’s side have conceded just one goal in their last nine games, scoring 14 themselves in the same period — including an impressive win over Italy and a goalless draw in Russia.

But Whelan says Estonia’s fine qualifying campaign, which saw them finish above Serbia and Solvenia, serves as a warning. “We knew that whoever we got it was going to be tough in the play-off ,as all the teams that are there are there for a reason.

“Estonia have done really well to come second in their group, considering they had Slovenia and Serbia in there. They must have done something right.

“But it’s up to us. We are in a position now where we can qualify.’’

“Is it different being the favourites? It’s just something we have to deal with.

“Estonia know they are going to be in for a tough game. Looking at the draw I don’t think they will be too happy getting us with the form we are in. We have gone nine games unbeaten and have conceded only one goal.

“If we keep that up for our two games against them then we have a hell of a chance.”

Whelan is adamant now is the time to banish all memories of Thierry Henry’s handball in Paris that robbed Ireland of qualification for last year’s World Cup.

And with the second leg against Estonia in Dublin, he reckons this is the perfect opportunity for a night of glory at the Aviva Stadium.

He added: “We got so close last time against France and we don’t want the same thing to happen. The only thing that will better that is qualifying.

“We spoke before the qualifying campaign started, saying we don’t want what happened before to happen again.

“We would like to have beaten Russia and won our group, but it wasn’t to be. And we still have a great chance of qualifying — hopefully we can take it.

“We will go out to the away game and hopefully pick up something there to take back to our place.

“We have to put in a performance for the fans, and the Aviva will be rocking.

“Everyone is desperate for tickets — I’m getting phone calls all the time, and the game is still a few weeks away. I’m sure it will be a great night when it comes around.”