O'Shea wants Ireland to be difficult to beat against bigger threats

DIFFICULT TO BEAT: John O’Shea made a fairly decent fist of it first time around when taking charge of the Republic of Ireland on an interim basis for two March meetings. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

We’ve been here before, no? Two friendlies in a week for a national side devoid of momentum and with no big tournament on the horizon. An interim gaffer again at the reins and hoping to catch the eye of aloof king-makers busily and forlornly scanning distant horizons for Mr Right.

John O’Shea made a fairly decent fist of it first time around when taking charge of the Republic of Ireland on an interim basis for two March meetings. Then again, a scoreless draw with Belgium and another blank fired in the loss to the Swiss wasn’t exactly a quantum leap forward either.