Republic of Ireland’s Martin O’Neill: “I never chased Jack Grealish”

The comment touched a nerve with O’Neill, who took a time-out from preparing for Thursday’s Euro qualifier with Germany in Dublin to make a point about a player who has cashed in his green card.

Ireland welcome the Group D leaders to the Aviva Stadium tomorrow night knowing victory against either the Germans or second-placed Poland in their final two games would secure a play-off place at worst, but that anything less could prove fatal to their hopes.

“But we know what we have to do”. We will see what happens in Glasgow after the game.

He added: “We know what they’re capable of doing and of course you have to be careful of all those things”.

“Naturally, I would love if every single one of these players [were] a bit like Celtic [the 1967 European Cup-winning side] where they were born 30 miles from Glasgow”.

Martin O’Neill has reacted angrily to the allegation that, to use his own word, he “prostituted” himself in an effort to get Jack Grealish to declare for Ireland.

“He played very well in the match (against Brentford last weekend), as did they all”.

“We have a very good close relationship and hopefully we will get Seamus on the pitch as quick as we can”.

Ireland prepare to square off against World Champions Germany in an important qualifier on Thursday and manager O’Neill is hopeful that the Toffees star will be fit in time to start the clash. If Coleman doesn’t make it, Cyrus Christie will may well replace him as he did in last month’s game in Gibraltar, however the Derby County player also has a knock. “We have to try and be as positive as possible and attempt to go for the game”.

O’Neill, who worked with his players for the first time on Monday morning, will be missing midfielders Glenn Whelan and James McClean through suspension and injuries threaten the participation of several others.

He said: “I don’t think that is something the players are not used to”.

Aston Villa defender Ciaran Clark is definitely ruled out with a quad problem, while fellow centre-half Marc Wilson has remained at Stoke City for treatment on a calf injury, which will be assessed later in the week. “In global football, that sometimes happens”.