Martin O’Neill feels his side have been given a tough draw for Euro 2016.
The Republic of Ireland will face Sweden, Belgium and Italy at next summer’s tournament, and O’Neill said the team will be underdogs in each of their games.
“I felt it was a tough draw,” the 63-year-old told the Independent.ie. “There were other groups we’d have preferred to be in. Each time it was 50/50 with the teams still left in it and each time it fell the other way.
“Italy should really be in Pot 1 so we’re effectively talking about two Pot 1 teams, two top class teams. Belgium are considered the best side in the world in terms of their ranking and Sweden, who know about these competitions and have so much experience, just seem to know how to qualify whether it’s the easy way or the difficult way.”
However, O’Neill backed his side and the Irish fans to ‘rise to the occasion’ and embrace the difficult challenge that awaits next summer.
“I’ve just said jokingly that I was looking forward to the draw a hour and a half ago and maybe not so sure now but listen, I tell you what, I think the fans will rise to the occasion and rather than being disappointed, I think they will feel enthused by the difficulty of the games. Knowing that we’re going into all the matches as underdogs.
“I don’t think it should frighten us. I think our fans will look forward to it. They know that when it is difficult we are perhaps at our best.”
“I will be giving nothing up. We have a real chance. The first match is very important and, if the World Cup in Brazil is anything to go by, then teams try to throw off the shackles in the opening match and go for it.”
