Mick McCarthy expects FAI to repeat Scottish ticket distribution methods for the reverse fixture

Former Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy has chipped into the feisty build-up to Friday's European Championship qualifier at Parkhead by defending comments made the FAI's chief executive John Delaney.

The current Ipswich Town boss has played down Delaney’s “tension in the air” remark as nothing more than “pre-match propaganda” on the countdown to a potentially pivotal fixture towards discovering the qualifiers for France from Group D.

Delaney's latest expression of displeasure at the Scottish FA's refusal to allocate more than the minimum 5 per cent of the 62,000 tickets was aired on Radio Kerry last week and relayed in Scotland yesterday.

The FAI chief executive of 10 years had said: “Scotland are playing well. This is a derby game, it’s a Friday night in Glasgow and there’ll be tension in the air.

“To have pockets of Irish fans stuck in Scottish areas is not the correct thing to do.”

It’s just shadow-boxing

Reaction was swift, both domestically and in Scotland, with a generally negative tone amongst fans apparent across both nations.

McCarthy, however, has moved to reduce the hostility by attempting to categorise the words of Delaney as part of the shadow-boxing typical in such neighbourly clashes.

“No, those comments are not (irresponsible),” said the Tractor Boys manager, who knew Delaney as the association’s Treasurer up to his departure from the Ireland managers’ post in 2002.

“I just think it’s a bit of pre-game propaganda. There will be tension in the air - but only because both countries want to qualify for the European Championships.

“Like every other big game, anything that is said can ramp up the tension between the nations.”

The FAI are just feeling a bit hurt

Pressed on whether the public spat undermined diplomatic relations between the rival associations, McCarthy provided one of his customary no-nonsene replies.

He said: “Bad feeling between associations? Not a chance. It’s just something that’s been said. There’s no ill-feeling between them.

“They all go to the same conferences, meet up and are probably all pals.

“That stuff wouldn’t bother me at all. It doesn’t affect anything to with the performance of the team or the atmosphere between the fans.

It’s just a tit-bit for what is a very important game.

“The FAI are just feeling a bit hurt that they’ve not got enough tickets.

“How many tickets did they get? 3,200. I’ll have money on it there’s a lot more Irish fans than that inside the stadium.”

“And I’m sure they (the FAI) will try do exactly the same when the Scotland fans come to Dublin next year.”

**Mick McCarthy was in Glasgow yesterday promoting special offers by bookmakers 666. com for this Friday's night, including their Old Firm Mash-up. Visit their official site above to find out more.