Roy Keane dismisses Georgia fear factor

Roy Keane insists there is no fear in the Ireland camp ahead of the tricky away trip to Tblisi to face Georgia in the first Euro 2016 qualifier on Sunday.

The assistant manager was a little perplexed this afternoon by his interpretation of the the media’s attitude towards manager Martin O’Neill’s first competitive game in charge and felt moved to reassure those present that “there’s nothing to be frightened of.”

“I think every game is going to be vital for us,” said the former Ireland captain speaking in Malahide. “Obviously we’ve said since the draw was made that Germany are going to be the hot favourites, and I think I said it last time that every minute of every game will be vital.

“Starting on Sunday, we need to be ready, it’s a difficult start but we’ll be ready. That’s why we play the game. There’s nothing to be frightened of. We’ll be ready to go.”

Asked whether he thought the players were mentally ready for the hosility of Tblisi after last night's insipid 2-0 win over Oman at the Aviva Stadium, Keane added: "Yeah . . . they'll be fine, I think everyone seems frightened to death in the media.There's a lot of negativity.

“Strangely enough, I’m sure if we qualify, you’ll be the first to celebrate and have a jolly-up over there, but from the players point of view and manager and staff - a top top manager - we’ll be ready, don’t be worried about it.”

When asked to return to the subject a little later, Keane admitted Sunday will be a “tough game, particularly away from home,” but “the reason we play these games is to get involved in tough qualifying matches. It’s going to be tough obviously but my goodness obviously we’ve got to look forward to the game. You keep going on about a hostile atmosphere. Brilliant. Bring it on.”

The merits of a draw, he said, could only be assessed after the game but “the mindset of the manager, the staff and the players is to try and win every game of football you go into.”

James McClean will not be available to O’Neill, having been ruled out with a troublesome ankle injury last night and allowed to return to Wigan Athletic.

“We’re going to miss him, of course, but that’s the game,” said Keane, who gave little away in terms of who was in line to face Georgia, though the line-up looks likely to include James McCarthy in midfield after a few days rest for the Everton man.

“Yeah he (McCarthy) seems okay,” said Keane. “I was just chatting to him there, he was glad to get that session under his belt now and it’s good to have him back in the group. He’s a good player and there’s a bit of competition now in and around the middle of the park with (Darron) Gibson getting back involved, and people like (David) Meyler. It’s good.

“Hopefully if he starts he will do well for us.”

Naturally, Keane was quizzed on the international future Ireland under-21 midfielder Jack Grealish, who works with the Corkman at Aston villa. It's a sensitive subject at the moment, with management eager not to rush the Birmingham-born winger into a decision between England and Ireland. Keane gave little more away.

“I don’t know, I really haven’t got a clue. All I know is that the manager (O’Neill) met with him .I speak to him. He’s a really good player, I think he’s playing with the under-21s this week. He’ll have a decision to make when he’s ready.

“We’re not putting him under pressure. We’d love to have him on board, he’s a really really good player. And we know we haven’t got a massive group of players to pick from so if he comes on board it’ll be absolutely fantastic because I think he’s got a chance of being a really good player.”