Martin O’Neill says tomorrow can’t come quick enough after a 10 month wait for his first competitive game as Republic of Ireland manager.
O’Neill who won’t name until just before kick off says he knows his starting 11 for tomorrow nights qualifier with Georgia but he hasn’t informed the players yet.
So we’re still none the wiser on who’ll start in goal Shay Given or David Forde and even Irish captain Robbie Keane who was also at the press conference isn’t guaranteed a start.
O’Neill also says he doesn't feel any extra pressure in his first competitive game as an International manager:
O’Neill’s pre match press conference at the Dinamo Arena had a bit of everything – he fended off a comment from one journalist that he looked tense.
He also had to field a poilitcal question about troubles between Georgia and Russia and the venue change in 2008 – he was advised to stay away from that one although he did seem to have an opinion.
The Georgian press also tried to get a reaction from O’Neill when they informed him their manager Temori Ketsbia said the home side have better footballers.
Thankfully the opening European qualifier is just over 24 hours away and captain Robbie Keane knows it's important to get early momentum in the group:
