O'Neill looking forward to tough Turkish test

On a gloomy Saturday morning on Dublin's northside in a Ford car dealership, you could have been forgiven for thinking the media scrum was for a new Focus or Fiesta. In fact though, it was for Republic of Ireland manager Martin O'Neill to give his thoughts on tomorrow’s tough test for the boys in green against Fatih Terim's talented Turkey side. 

Two injury concerns for O'Neill leading into tomorrow’s clash have been Hull City midfielder David Meyler and recently relegated Norwich wideman Anthony Pilkington. Both trained this morning though and are available for selection according to O'Neill: "David trained today, as did Anthony Pilkington who missed out a day as well. I will speak to David this afternoon to see if there is any after effects but I think he is going to be ok."

These first two friendlies see Ireland in the unusual position of having just two goalkeepers in the squad. One of those is the country's perceived number one David Forde but the other is uncapped. Robert Elliot is currently back up to Tim Krul at Newcastle United and former Sunderland manager O'Neill confirmed that the former Charlton Athletic star Elliot will make his international debut before heading off to be married:  "He might do, I'll give it some consideration this afternoon. Obviously with just the two keepers, he will play in some of the games. He also has his own wedding to contend with so tomorrow might be that opportunity but he will definitely participate in one of these games. " 

Elliot is expected to re-join the squad for the two American odysseys against Costa Rica and Portugal and he is likely to be replaced in the squad for the Italy game by QPR stopper Brian Murphy. 

The Boys-in-Green face four extremely tough tests in these friendlies with all four opponents ranked in the world's top 40 sides. O'Neill though is raring to go, admitting that he previously had no knowledge of the importance of friendlies to the rankings but now understands how vital they will be.

"I do accept that results in friendlies do matter. When I took the job in the very first place I wasn't aware of that. But why not give ourselves tough tests because I think it will be better preparation for the Euro qualifiers.

“The opposition is particularly difficult because three of these teams are going to the World Cup and for some of the players it will be their last opportunity to impress before the start of the tournament. With that in mind you would imagine that they will go as strongly as possible but we are ready for it, the lads are enthusiastic and ready to go."

The one side out of the four opponents not to be in Brazil this June are Turkey. They are still a side though who boast a lot of talent in their ranks. One notable absentee for them is captain Arda Turan who is in action this weekend in the UEFA Champions League final for Spanish champions Atletico Madrid but with the likes of Nuri Sahin of Borussia Dortmund, Galatasaray hit-man Burak Yilmaz who was the breakout star of last season's Champions League and fellow Aslan Selcuk Inan who has established himself as one of Europe's top passers.

"They are strong, I've just watched some DVD's of them and of course they will make some changes to the side, there may be an emphasis of some younger players in to the squad to mix with the experience. Turkey are Turkey though and they will always cause you plenty of problems."

This current international break is the longest period of time O'Neill has had with the players since taking over as manager, and he is taking the chance to get to know some of the players a little better. He did point out though that he does already know his skipper John O'Shea well.

"I know John but yes it is a good chance to get to know the players better. Against Serbia it was only a couple of days. When you get to see the players more often than just every couple of games you start to form an opinion of them on the field but it doesn't always correspond to what you see when you meet up with them."

With such tough opponents on the horizon in the next three weeks, O'Neill may have been forgiven for not thinking of experimenting too much. He dismissed that thought though, explaining that he is focused on getting a look at all of these players over the course of the four games.

"We are going to try and get everyone game time, they have given up their time to come here and play international games, even though you would think they should do. Some of the players though, if they were around here for three weeks and not getting onto the field of play so we will defiantly be making a few changes during the games. But you do also want to try and stay competitive so it is a balancing act."

Since the last international break, UEFA announced the new concept of the Nations League. When prompted on it, O'Neill, as an international manager, was in favour of it but also understands the frustrations club managers will incur with its introduction.

"Well it is to give friendlies more of an importance again. As an international manager now I think it is of benefit as I get to see them more but you'll probably dig up something derogatory I said in the past about friendlies as a club manager but this is an ideal for me but not for the players who have just ended their club season but again this time next year we will be playing in mid-June against Scotland so from that view point the players kind of thought well let’s get on with it. The point about if there is going to be a bit of a competitive edge in terms of these games then absolutely. "

The game between the Republic of Ireland and Turkey kicks off at 6pm Sunday evening at the Aviva Stadium and Extratime.ie will be bringing you full coverage as well as the FAI Junior Cup final between St.Michael's and Ballynanty Rovers which kicks off in the same venue at 2pm.