We won’t let Gibraltar rock us
ROY KEANE has ordered the Republic of Ireland to treat their clash with Gibraltar as an English cup tie ripe for a giant- killing.
The Republic face the Group D minnows in Faro, Portugal, having already put seven past them without reply in the reverse fi xture at the Aviva Stadium in October last year.
However, complacency is simply not on the agenda as manager Martin O’Neill and his assistant Keane prepare for the return and Georgia’s visit to Dublin three days later, knowing six points is a must if they are to retain hope of qualifi cation.
Keane said: “First and foremost, you want to win the game. We could have got more goals in the home game – but we have seen enough of Gibraltar to understand that if we are not at the races, we could slip up.
“The biggest danger – you sometimes see it in English cup games – is taking your eye off the ball or underestimating somebody. Then you are in trouble.
“We have to make sure that it does not happen. That’s part of our job. We have experienced players so I don’t think there is any chance of that happening.” O’Neill and Keane worked with a near full complement yesterday, only defender Paul McShane sitting out with minor discomfort in his hip and back.
Everton midfi elder James McCarthy trained after nursing a sore knee earlier in the week, but Keane said: “If you’re playing in the middle of the park you should be getting knocks. It’s all part of the game.”