O’Neill: I’ll give lodger the boot
MARTIN O’NEILL was once the landlord of Denmark coach Age Hareide during their days at Norwich – and now the Republic of Ireland coach is intent on putting his former team-mate in his place again.
O’Neill has even threatened to charge back-rent 30 years on if the Danes shatter Ireland’s World Cup dream.
The pair have been pals since signing for Manchester City on the same day before Norwegianborn Hareide lodged with O’Neill when joining him at Norwich.
But it is about the future rather than the past when their teams meet at the Telia Parken Stadium in Copenhagen for tonight’s World Cup playoff first leg, before squaring up again in Tuesday’s decider in Dublin.
With the Republic desperate to make it to the finals for the first time since 2002, O’Neill aims to serve an eviction order on Hareide’s side.
Recalling their days together, he joked: “I was a better player and earning more money and he had no place to stay so he lived with me. I charged him very cheap rent but he turned out to be a really good player. I’ll have to send him the bill.”
O’Neill led the Irish to the Euro 2016 finals but believes beating Denmark would eclipse that achievement.
“Getting to France last year was big but this is something else,” he said. “It would be fantastic if we can make it.”
O’Neill was relieved to avoid Italy in the play-offs but he scoffed at suggestions that Ireland got lucky by drawing Denmark – the lowest-ranked of the four seeds.
“Their expectation will be to get through,” he said. “They have some big players who play in the major leagues around Europe but I have some fine players too.
“Generally we’ve been up against it most of the time over the last couple of years. Our Euro group was difficult and we managed to come through that.
“This one was even more difficult because only the top team went through automatically and we were fourth seeds but we’re in the play-offs on all DENMARK are favourites tonight but if there is one thing that has epitomised the Republic’s qualification campaign, it is their never-say-die attitude. Martin O’Neill’s side are 9-2 to win but a draw is a lot more likely.
Denmark have Tottenham’s Christian Eriksen but I feel he is the only player who can cause the Irish any problems. merit. We’ve overcome adversity in the past and we’ll try to do so again.”
Despite a hit-and-miss record in play-offs, the Irish have won their past two with Robbie Brady scoring the away goal in Bosnia two years ago that paved the way for them to qualify for the Euros.
Burnley star Brady feels the Republic are better equipped now and will not be intimidated tonight.
“We’ve shown in big games that we are capable of producing and those of us who played in Bosnia will take that belief into this one,” he said.
“We’ve matured since then. We’ve done our homework and are ready for this. We’re so close to the World Cup finals. A place is there for the taking.”
Not so, according Denmark’s Tottenham Christian Eriksen.
“I’m not sure if Ireland will man-mark me – but I don’t mind if they do as there will be more space for other quality players we have and we could take advantage,” said the midfielder.
“I’m feeling very good and confident ahead of the game and I want to be involved in the World Cup. This squad deserves to be there.”
Denmark keeper Kasper Schmeichel won the Premier League with Leicester but says there is a gap in his CV that he is determined to fill in Russia next summer. “I’ve never played in a major tournament and it’s something I want to experience,” he said. “We have missed out on recent qualifications and it’s not enjoyable sitting at home watching on TV.” to star
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