Martin O’Neill braced for tension in Tbilisi

At the Irish team’s hotel in Castleknock yesterday, a few of the senior players told Martin O’Neill about how much of a challenge they think Saturday’s World Cup qualifier in Tbilisi is going to be — and the manager was delighted to hear of their concern.

“I was speaking to three or four lads at lunch time, lads who have been around the squad for some time, and it was good to hear that they think the Georgia game is really difficult,” O’Neill said.

“This is the match and we need total concentration in the game. I don’t think that we have the ability to disrespect anybody. Disrespect may be too strong a word, but to treat anybody lightly. I don’t think we’re good enough to do that and that’s not a disservice to my team.”