Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
France have a chance – O’Neill
MARTIN O’Neill has tipped France as potential World Cup winners despite his former team-mate Age Hareide describing them as “nothing special”.
Denmark boss Hareide will lead his team into Group C battle with the French in Russia having seen his team comprehensively dispatch O’Neill’s Republic of Ireland in the play-offs in November.
However, while he has played down the chances of Didier Deschamps’ team making a significant impact, his Ireland counterpart is not so sure.
O’Neill, who will send the Republic into a friendly against France in Paris tonight, said with a smile: “Did he say that? Well, I know the Danish coach – I used to play with him. He’s a very nice man – he wasn’t such a great player himself.
“It’s highly dangerous to talk about that. I think the French are individually well-equipped. The French have been strong for some time.
“He may be referring to, perhaps there’s a feeling sometimes that the French are not always united – all we needed was the example of (Adrien) Rabiot leaving the squad.
“Pe r s o n a l l y, I think they’re very strong. France, when they get together, will be strong in this competition.
“They will be disappointed to lose the final of European Championship but overall they have as good a chance as anybody of winning the World Cup.
“The main thing is the extra experience they have had over the last couple of years. Qualification was fine. I disagree with the Danish manag er. Individually, France have got very strong players indeed.”
O’Neill played with Hareide at Manchester City and Norwich.