Pogues fan Bilic sees three-way fight for second spot

SLAVEN BILIC will put his love affair with the Pogues on hold after drawing the Republic of Ireland in next summer’s European Championship finals.

The Croatia boss revealed in August he had prepared for his team’s Dublin friendly by attending a Shane McGowan gig in Zagreb.

This time around the former West Ham defender will take his preparations for the game in Poznan next June more seriously.

“There will be no more Pogues until August at the earliest,” laughed Bilic, after he was thrown in with Ireland, Italy and Spain in Group C for Euro 2012.

“That was a friendly game in Dublin and this will be totally different. We learned something that night and I felt we dominated the Ireland team for long spells. But the next game will be altogether different.

“We will be more concentrated on the Republic because it is the first game in the tournament and because the group is so difficult.

“Spain look like the favourites and I think Croatia, Italy and Ireland has equal chance to be the second team.”

Bilic’s admiration for the Pogues isn’t the only thing he likes about Ireland.

“I am very happy to draw Ireland because I love the country, the people and the fans,” said the Croat coach. “Their team plays with a passion that I admire. They also have some of the best fans in the world and I know the atmosphere will be very special in Poland.”

Renowned as a player who never shirked a tackle during an illustrious career at club and international level, Bilic summed up the task his team face in Group C with a frank honesty.

“We could have got a less sexy group, like Group A perhaps, but they are also all good teams in there.

“Of course, we have a tough group. We have the privilege of playing against the European champions and the world champions in Spain. We meet the world champions before them in Italy and also Ireland, who have a good team and a great manager.

“Ireland have the Trapattoni factor about them. I am privileged to be up against him as a manager. I cannot wait to play against his team.

“I have a strong belief in my players and they have showed me many times that they can play against the best teams in the world.

“So we are not going to be afraid, we are going to give everything to this.”