
Share
27th March 2015
03:44pm GMT

Roy Keane manned a possession game, 23 players playing keep-ball on half a pitch. Everyone fit, everyone flying.
Only Anthony Stokes - of the remaining 28 players - didn't train today because he was at a hearing. Gibson, of course, was the other absentee after he went back to Liverpool to receive treatment on a groin injury.
“Darron has come through, he’s played a couple of games for Everton, it’s his fitness really that has been the major concern for me," O'Neill explained. "You know, sometimes he gets going, he gets a run of games and then he’s thwarted again with injury. He’s had a few problems in the last couple of years and he’s been fighting those off.
“Naturally he would’ve been in the plans because he’s been involved in the last couple of squads that we had but we have plenty of players and plenty to choose from.
“I think there are positions up for grabs, like there has always been since I’ve come here. I think any international manager would probably tell you exactly the same, he’s got an idea that he can formulate a couple of weeks beforehand.
“But I think the first time that you really consider it is when you have players at your disposal for the week of the game. Of course, we’ve had one or two players who, for one reason or another – generally through injury – haven’t really been available for the start of the week.
“Then you formulate different ideas and different plans for the players that you think might participate in the game. There has always been positions up for grabs here.
“Sunday is the ultimate test. It’s been a good week for the players. Naturally, it has been a bit of a change from their club commitments. I gave them some time yesterday, those who have family around and about, to go and do that.
“We’ve just basically been taking our time, regroup as it were, and just getting ready. Ready mentally and ready physically."
One source of inspiration - perhaps - could probably have been that of Joe Schmidt's side taking the Six Nations with such vigour. O'Neill isn't silly, he knows there are very little similarities you could draw from the two games but he does recognise that the Irish rugby side have set a fine example. One which his team could follow.
“The Irish rugby team did fantastically well and maybe we can take something from that. They’ve given us a lead, let’s go and try to continue that."Explore more on these topics: