John O’Shea issues Euro 2012 rallying cry ahead of Friday’s draw

Giovanni Trapattoni can be Ireland’s Alex Ferguson says Manchester United old boy

John O’Shea’s message to the Green Army ahead of the European Championship draw on Friday is a simple one – ‘We’ll take whatever we get with Trap on our side’.

The Sunderland defender is adamant that the Republic’s status as the bottom seeds when the 16 names go into the hat in Kiev is irrelevant.

O’Shea believes that the Trapattoni factor will work wonders for Ireland no matter who they are drawn against for next summer’s finals.

“Having Giovanni Trapattoni in the dug-out with Ireland is a bit like having Alex Ferguson on your side at Manchester United,” said the former Old Trafford defender as Trap prepares for another two years in charge of Ireland.

“The boss is a great advantage to us just as Sir Alex is with United. You know that the opposition will automatically respect their teams when they see him on the sidelines.

“Like Fergie, Giovanni is also great when it comes to what he calls the little details. He is always working, always getting an advantage for us.

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“He can have a little word with you at the right time about your opponent or a situation in a game.

“It has already been a great advantage to us to have Giovanni Trapattoni on our side in the last World Cup and this European Championship and it will work for us in the finals next summer as well.”

O’Shea will watch Friday’s draw from the Ukraine on television back in England with a keen interest.

But, like his boss, he is non-plussed as to Ireland’s opposition on their return to the big stage.

“We have to wait and see – all we know is that we will get one of the host nations or Spain or Holland as the top seeds in the group and that will be interesting either way,” he added.

“The hosts are always under a bit of pressure in these tournaments and a game against either of them would be a great occasion.

“We could get England as well but I wouldn’t single them our or any team. We just have to be ready for whoever we get.

“People may think the hard work has been done by qualifying for a tournament for the first time in 10 years and for the first European Championship since 1988 but I don’t see it like that.

“As players we have to expect it will be even tougher when we get to the finals. Qualifying has given us a real confidence boost but we can’t rest on our laurels now.”

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Nster.com