Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Boss wary of threat yet again
GEORGIA have yet to beat Ireland in 10 previous meetings but
Mick Mccarthy is urging caution today.
When Ireland were last in Tbilisi during the World Cup 2018 campaign, Shane Duffy got Martin O’neill’s charges off to a flyer with a fourth-minute goal. But what followed was a torturous watch as Ireland laboured to a
1-1 draw – Georgia’s standalone result against the Boys in
Green.
To make matters worse, Ireland finished with just 26 per cent possession having been passed off the park.
Georgia’s recent scoreless draw with Denmark has also put the Irish boss on guard ahead of game that could be played in 25 degrees.
“Please understand, we respect Georgia as they’re a very good team,” said Mccarthy yesterday.
“The performance against Denmark didn’t surprise me and towards the end of the game – we were watching it – Georgia looked like the stronger team.
“We don’t take anything for granted and we’ll be well prepared. We respect Georgia because they are a very difficult opponent.”
Mccarthy continued:
“If we get a point we’ll have to go away happy with what we’ve got.
But we’re coming to try and win the game.
“I just don’t get anybody who thinks we should come here and just win this game, especially having seen them against Denmark.
“They already have a play-off spot
(through the Nations League) so they’ll want momentum going into that. They make you work, they shift you, they pass it quickly and slickly. We have to do the same.”