John O’Shea, coach of the Republic of Ireland, expressed hope that discussions regarding his contract extension will be “straightforward,” although he emphasized that his primary focus is on the upcoming match.
Last week, manager Heimir Hallgrimsson confirmed during a press conference that he had signed a contract to remain in charge until the end of the Euro 2028 campaign, while also announcing the squad for this week’s World Cup play-off semi-final against the Czech Republic in Prague, scheduled for Thursday at 19:45 GMT.
O’Shea is optimistic about his own future with the team but is primarily concentrated on Thursday’s game, as the Republic of Ireland aims to qualify for their first World Cup since 2002.
That tournament occurred just before O’Shea’s selection in 2002, as then-manager Mick McCarthy did not include him in the squad. However, O’Shea did compete in the European Championships in 2012 and 2016, amassing 118 caps in his international career.
When a reporter in Dublin reminded him that he had never played in a World Cup, O’Shea quipped about the painful realization, yet he encouraged the current players to create their own legacy. For him, securing a spot in this summer’s tournament in North America as a coach would be a remarkable achievement.
“I’ve been very fortunate throughout my career, but representing Ireland in a World Cup would have been a dream,” the 44-year-old said. “Hopefully, we’re not far from that goal. These are the moments you work towards at the international level—this is the next step to the play-off final and the possibilities that come from it in the summer. Such opportunities are rare, and the only way to enjoy them is by winning.”
‘We must produce a top performance’ – O’Shea
Miroslav Koubek took over as the Czech Republic’s manager in December, replacing Ivan Hasek after their shocking defeat by the Faroe Islands during qualifying.
The Czech team will be looking to benefit from the “new manager bounce” as they strive for World Cup qualification. O’Shea respects the talent within the Czech squad and has challenged his players to replicate the high level of performance that secured victories over Portugal and Hungary in November.
“You have to respect the players they possess,” he noted. “With their experienced coach and players competing in top leagues across Europe, they present a strong physical game, so nothing comes as a surprise. It will be a significant test for our players, and we need to perform at the level we reached in the last camp to challenge them.”
‘Coleman brings belief into the squad’ – Collins
One of the major threats for the Irish team will be the formidable presence of Czech striker Patrik Schick.
At 30 years old, Schick has scored 24 goals in 50 international appearances and has netted 15 times for Bayer Leverkusen this season.
Republic of Ireland captain Nathan Collins may have the task of marking Schick but looks forward to the exciting challenge. “In football, those one-on-one battles have evolved,” Collins explained. “I’ll need support from the midfield and my defensive teammates. It will be a duel, but it’s never just a one-on-one situation. The Premier League has many prominent strikers, and it’s an exciting trend.”
As the 24-year-old assumes the captaincy this week, Collins praised veteran defender Seamus Coleman, whose return to the team has coincided with improved performances. “Seamus is a significant character and presence,” Collins said. “His influence on the squad is immense. He brings a lot of belief and has supported my development by sharing some responsibilities, allowing me to focus on my own game. Having someone like him in the squad is crucial.”