DEFIANT Republic of Ireland boss Martin O’Neill has promised Euro 2020 qualification - despite watching his side lose at home to Nations League Cup opponents Wales on Tuesday night.
Speaking exclusively to daily newspaper reporters, the Derry man was unequivocal about Ireland’s prospects of reaching their second consecutive finals in two years’ time.
In a slightly curious exchange with reporters, the under-pressure O’Neill predicted that good times were ahead for this Irish team.
“Regardless of what people think, I've never shirked the responsibility. I've never really turned on my players. Not that I need to, not with the effort they put into the games, which is phenomenal,” he said after Harry Wilson’s second-half strike for Wales ended Ireland’s chances of improving their seeding via the Nations League.
“We're short of some things but in terms of spirit, drive and determination, it's absolutely there. We can turn the corner.”
Asked if he still possessed the same drive as his players, O’Neill replied: “I'll win. I'll win.”
He continued: “We were chasing the match in the last 25 minutes and there's always the chance of Wales getting a second goal on us but that's a chance you're prepared to take. It didn't materialise.
“At the end of the day we'll have people ready for the games. And I'll be ready and we'll go through. Simple as that.”
Asked to clarify his statement, he replied: “Yes [we’ll qualify]. Absolutely.”
Given the lack of quality currently in the Irish squad, another reporter asked where did he draw his optimism from in making such a bold prediction, O’Neill replied: “Because I'm good.”
After losing just one in 11 games during the last campaign, the Republic have now gone five matches without a win. They are staring Nations Cup relegation in the face after losing twice to the Welsh and drawing with Denmark in Dublin last Saturday.
They round off their campaign against Denmark next month before Euro qualification begins “in earnest” next March. The draw will be made on December 2 with the Irish expected to be in Pot Three.
He added: “I'd still like to have made a better first of these games. I'd like to have competed very strongly, particularly in the first game in Wales. It's disappointing that we got one point from three games. But the competition starts in earnest in March.”
O’Neill insisted he doesn’t feel his position is under threat and has had no conversations with FAI chief John Delaney about his future.
It is expected the Kilrea man will be on the sideline in March.
“I've never had that conversation with John and certainly haven't had it with the board. Whatever you say about the competition [the Nations League], it doesn't guarantee you anything at the end of it all. You would be hoping that in March, when we actually start in earnest, that we might have some senior players back.”
Meanwhile, skipper Richard Keogh gave his full backing to O’Neill after Tuesday night’s disappointing home defeat. Asked if the manager could handle the tide of criticism coming his way, he replied: "He doesn't need me to say that. He's proven it.”
