O’Neill warns Ireland against ‘wounded animal’ Belgium

“Even though they were beaten, it’s still going to be a really tough game – but hopefully they’re thinking the same looking at us”. If they are disappointed themselves with not playing well against Italy, they will feel they can rectify it’. “James has done great for us”.

“They’re a risky team but we’ll look forward to it. There is plenty of confidence in the dressing room and we know we can take something from the game on Saturday”.

“It’s going to be an important game for us”.

“I don’t think it has anything to do with the formation”.

After Ireland drew their opening one at the Stade the France, there is a little more urgency now about where they might take three points and O’Neill has little option but to select a side with victory in mind.

“They might be two of their better players, but they still have other players who can come in and do a good job, so we still have to focus on our game plan and make sure we are right”.

“I think Ireland will find it hard to create a lot of chances but he can score from [long-range] and that will be very interesting to see and that will be a role for Witsel or Nianggolan to also defend because Wilmots said he will make one or two changes – so it depends what he will change”. “He will be a loss to us but if he’s not fit, we have a number of players here who can step in and do a job for us”. “If the game against Sweden doesn’t give you a lift, nothing will”.

He added: “Belgium have got a real set of individual players – it’s whether they go and gel as a side or not”.

He said: “I thought we dominated for most of the game”. Of the time everyone got to spend on Tuesday with their loved ones he quipped: “I saw my own family for about 10 minutes”.