IT’S TIME FOR MY OLD LODGER TO PAY HIS RENT!
O’Neill out to evict the Danes
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.
He’s even threatened to charge back rent 30 years on if the Danes shatter Republic of Ireland’s World Cup dream.
The pair have been pals since signing for Manchester City on the same day, before Norwegian-born Hareide lodged with O’Neill when joining him at Norwich.
But it’s all about the future rather than the past when their teams meet in the Telia Parken Stadium for tonight’s World Cup play-off first leg before squaring up again in Tuesday’s decider in Dublin.
With Ireland 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 said: “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 successfully led the Irish into the Euro 2016 finals but believes that beating Denmark would eclipse that achievement.
“Getting to France last year was big, but this is something else,” he added. “It would be fantastic if we can make it.”
O’Neill admits he was relieved to avoid Italy in the play-offs but scoffs at suggestions 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’ve got some fine players too.
Difficult
“Generally we’ve been up against it most of the time over the last couple of years. Our European Championship 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 there on merit. We have overcome adversity in the past and we will try to do so again.”
Despite a hit-and-miss record in playoffs, the Irish have won their last two – with Robbie Brady scoring the vital away goal in Bosnia two years ago which paved the way for them to qualify for France last summer.
Brady feels they are better equipped now and won’t be intimidated by the Danes 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,” said the Burnley wide man.
“I think we’ve matured since then. We’ve done our homework and are ready for this.
“We’re now so close to the World Cup finals. A place is there for the taking.”