Hughton quietly confident about Euro 2004

Republic of Ireland assistant manager Chris Hughton is quietly confident that they can qualify for Euro 2004 once they take maximum points from Saturday’s clash with Russia.

Hughton is looking to the Republic side to make up for a poor start to their qualifying campaign which has been put on track since Brian Kerr replaced Mick McCarthy.

“You cannot be over-confident but you have to have some confidence or else you won’t get anywhere,” he said.

“I think that we have the quality and the ability to get to a European Championships and we are now just two games away from it.

“But they are two very difficult games. I would have to say that Switzerland are still the favourites.

“We’ve got Russia at home and I think we have to aim for a win there, but then Switzerland away is also tough and no matter what way you look at it, Switzerland would have to be favourites.”

But Hughton insisted that no-one in the Ireland camp was letting their mind drift that far ahead with everybody remaining firmly focused on taking all three points from Saturday’s clash.

“We have to concentrate on Saturday’s game,” he said.

“They (Russia) are not far off being a very, very good side. I think that they have been a little unlucky.”

Ireland have recovered from a terrible start to the European Championship qualifiers to have their destiny is in their own hands and Hughton is not surprised.

“I think the turn-around is because of the players’ reaction. Brian (Kerr) has done a tremendous job on and off the park but it’s mostly down to the players.

“Remember, this team were at the World Cup finals.”

Ireland will be out to avenge last year’s disappointing 4-2 defeat in Moscow and Hughton was sceptical of reports emerging from the Russian camp in recent days.

News of a squad in disarray, playing poorly and low in confidence are continually filtering through from Moscow, but the assistant manager believes that it could all just be a smokescreen.

“The change in management and their recent record could work either way,” he said.

“They’ll either come here feeling sorry for themselves or with a point to prove.

“We are expecting a difficult game and we know they’re good players so I would be surprised if they came here and didn’t play.”

Hughton confirmed that the entire Ireland squad came through training with no injury problems.

Kerr and his management team would have to think long and hard over which players to select.

“In our minds, we have probably picked the team but the players don’t know and what happens in training between now and Saturday will still have a bearing on our thinking,” added Hughton.