Steve Guppy admits pressure growing ahead of Euros

As Martin O’Neill prepares to name his squad for the penultimate Euros warm-up game against the Netherlands this lunchtime, Ireland coach Steve Guppy admits the pressure is mounting with the ever closer approach of the big kick-off in France.

“We’re certainly meeting up more and more,” he says. “There’s an awful lot of things to discuss. I’m frightening myself half to death watching our opponents in the evenings, as many DVDs as I can. Every team we play has world-class stars but you’ve got to watch them and cling onto anything you can mention to the manager that may help.”

Scouting out potential players for Ireland is another part of Guppy’s role. “Harry Arter for example. I was living down that way (Bournemouth) so it was great to be able to see him and Eunan O’Kane, and if I thought that they were really doing well I’d mention it to the manager. Then I’d travel down with him and, it was funny, it was almost like my player and you’re a little bit nervous, hoping that he’ll play well.”