Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Yus I can be Dane’s main man
YUSSUF POULSEN wants to be Denmark’s main man in Dublin.
Tottenham star Christian Eriksen is set to miss Saturday’s Nations League clash with Ireland at Aviva Stadium.
He tore Ireland apart when bagging a sensational hat-trick in November’s World Cup playoff rout.
But Poulsen arrives in Dublin in superb form after scoring five goals in his last six games for German side RB Leipzig.
“I can never replace Christian Eriksen but I’ve promised myself a goal and I’m ready to play,” he said.
“I scored at the World
Cup against Peru and in a friendly against Mexico before the tournament so it’s nothing new to me.
“I’m ready to take more responsibility and, if I’m honest, it’s about time that I took it as I’ve got some criticism for not scoring enough goals.”
Poulsen added: “I’ve been scoring for my club and I’m sure I can transfer that form into the national team.”
Meanwhile, Ireland boss Martin O’neill has dismissed any suggestion that Denmark are a one-man team.
But he admits Eriksen’s absence is a boost to Ireland’s chances of winning the game.
O’neill said: “He is a top class player. I’m sure they get a boost any time they see some of our players not playing.
“But he was the major difference in the game when we played last November, but they have enough in their squad to be able to adjust.”