WE’VE GOT THE MART AND SOUL

MARTIN O’NEILL believes the fear of missing out on a ‘once in a lifetime opportunity’ can propel his Republic of Ireland players to the World Cup.

And he is backing them to crush Denmark’s spirit in Copenhagen a fortnight tomorrow by nabbing a crucial away goal.

“That is a priority,” O’neill (above) said last night after naming his initial 34-man squad. “The lads know the World Cup is so important and we might never get there again - even some of the boys being as young as they are. This is an opportunity and I don’t think they want to throw it up.”

Ireland have pulled off huge results under O’neill from beating Germany, Bosnia, Austria and most recently Wales.

And the manager insists it will take another monumental effort over two legs against the Christian Eriksen-inspired (inset) Danes.

But asked what the common denominator has been on those big night, O’neill said: “We have an idea of our strengths and weaknesses within our squad.

“The idea is to try cover up the weaknesses as much as you can and really go for your strengths.

“One of our strengths - and it does not get you everything - is that we do have a great never-say-die spirit.

“It was very plain when we got the goal against Wales - backs to the wall, the boys throwing themselves around, Shane Duffy heading everything that was coming into the box.

“The prize was so big and when we have our backs to the wall I think that we find something.

“We try and make up for a lot of things that we don’t really possess. And there are a number of ways to

try and win football matches.”