O’Neill aims to follow Foxes

MARTIN O’NEILL has challenged the Republic of Ireland to follow in Leicester’s footsteps as they attempt to spring a surprise at Euro 2016.

O’Neill’s former club are defying the odds as they continue the most unlikely of Barclays Premier League title charges, heading the table by five points with just seven games to go.

While he does not believe that necessarily means one of the smaller nations could surge unheralded to European glory this summer as Greece did 12 years ago, the 64-year-old is confident Ireland can call upon a similar spirit in an effort to emerge from a tough group and make an impression on the continental stage.

Asked about the example currently being set by the Foxes, with whom he won two League Cups as manager, O’Neill said: “I just think they have given people hope now that you can compete – and not only compete, actually be successful.

“If they go on and win the league, does that mean that a smaller nation goes on and takes the European Championship? I’m not terribly sure about that.”

When the draw was made for the finals back in December, a month after Ireland secured their passage with a play-off victory over BosniaHerzegovina, their hard work was rewarded with a testing group with Italy, Belgium and Sweden.

But while qualification will prove difficult, O’Neill, whose side face a friendly battle with Switzerland in Dublin on Friday evening, has no qualms about assuming the role of underdog, particularly after their 1-0 win over world champions Germany on the road to France.

He said: “After Germany, the players feel as if they are capable of dealing with that.”

Asked if he would be happy to see opposition teams underestimate his players, O’Neill replied: “Absolutely. As Leicester are proving this year, you underestimate teams at your peril.”