Dunne wants Ireland to consider themselves qualifier favourites

RICHARD DUNNE believes the Republic of Ireland can benefit from last year’s crushing World Cup exit at the hands of France — if they take the attacking attitude they showed that night into the upcoming European Championship qualifying campaign.

The Aston Villa defender also thinks that Giovanni Trapattoni’s side should be looking at themselves as favourites in Group B as they attempt to qualify for a first major tournament since 2002.

Dunne insisted that, while he did admit to having a “little laugh” to himself over France’s disastrous World Cup campaign, the sourness over Ireland’s controversial exit last November has subsided.

Instead, he thinks the Boys in Green should take the positives from the performance on that fateful night and bring that attacking spirit into their qualification campaign, which sees them face Russia, Slovakia, Macedonia, Armenia and Andorra.

“I think we have got an opportunity to qualify this time. I think we should put pressure on ourselves and say we should be favourites to qualify,” said the 30year-old, adding: “That’s the way we have to go about it. If we look at it realistically, we are as good if not better than the other teams in the group.

“I think how we played over the whole qualifying group (for the World Cup) — we never lost a game so we did alright — we just have to have confidence in ourselves.

“We couldn’t lose against France, we had to go for it and that was it. That’s the attitude we have to take into the group stages. Don’t be afraid of going to Russia and trying to get a draw or whatever, just go and play.”

Villa boss Martin O’Neill meanwhile has expressed his admiration for Celtic star Aiden McGeady, but refused to be moved on whether or not he will make a bid for either the 24-year-old winger or Irish teammate Robbie Keane.

“Aiden McGeady has got the ability to be able to play in the Premier League, no question,” O’Neill said.

“I had him as a kid at Celtic, and without worrying too much about his youth at the time. He played against AC Milan one night at Celtic Park and he was absolutely fantastic. He’s definitely got the ability to play.”

© Irish Examiner