Szczesny wants out of the stand

Wojciech Szczesny is an irrepressible character even at the worst of times — and we’re talking even after an 8-2 defeat at Manchester United — so it should be quite an experience to watch him at Poland’s training camp in Warsaw over the next few days as he attempts to force his way back into the team in time for a crucial final group game against the Czech Republic on Saturday.

Arsenal goalkeeper Szczesny, a man who thrives on energy and self-confidence, had to sit on his hands as his team-mates drew 1-1 in a frenetic match against Russia on Tuesday — having been sent off in the opening game against Greece.

The 23-year-old is free from suspension for Saturday’s crunch tie against the Czechs in Wrocklaw — a match which will see the Poles reach the quarter-finals if they can pull off a shock victory; but the only problem for the Gunners star is that his replacement Przemyslaw Tyton did well against the Russians and also saved a penalty against Greece. So he may not be easy to shift.

“Tyton did really well and of course whether I play is up to the manager,” said Szczesny.

“All I can say is I’m available and feel confident and ready to play. You want to fight for your spot. He did his best to keep it with his performance and now I have four days in training to convince the manager I deserve to play.

“I won’t be kicking him in training — that’s not my style. I hope the better one will play and it won’t be down to injury. I just hope I get a chance to help the team.”

Szczesny admits he found it tough watching from the stands as Poland came from behind to earn a draw against Russia in a feverish atmosphere in Warsaw on Tuesday.

“I was more tired afterwards than if I had played,” he said. “It was tough. On the pitch I have no emotions and just focus on my job; but when you have to sit in the stands in an uncomfortable suit it’s different. It was not easy for me. When you are up there watching you feel there is nothing you can do to help them. You just scream. It’s crazy — and it’s knackering!”

Szczesny, however, is determined to do everything possible to help his team reach the knockout stages and is adamant they are good enough to cope with the pressure, adding: “If we win it we’re through to the quarter-finals, it’s as simple as that. We’re confident. We put in a good performance against Russia and I believe if we play at that level again we’ll have a very good chance of beating the Czech Republic.

“Let’s be honest, if we get through to the quarter-finals we will have done the minimum that we said we were aiming for before the tournament. That’s our goal.

“If we get there we want to do our best to keep going but reaching the quarters will take the pressure off the team, that’s for sure.”

Having already survived one derby game against Russia, playing the Czechs also brings some local rivalry; but Szczesny says that will play no part in his preparation.

“What’s exciting is what’s at stake, not who you are playing against. That doesn’t worry me. I just want to be in the quarter-finals,” he said.

“You want to make the fans proud because they have been fantastic, so you want to give them something, something special.

“This tournament has been incredible for our country; the way it has been organised and the way the team has played as well I think.

“The feeling in the country is already incredible and who knows what it would be like if we actually got through. That’s why I want so badly to play. I want to help the team make history.”