Mick McCarthy joked that Ireland can benefit ‘if somebody clumps’ Spurs and Denmark attacker Christian Eriksen in the Champions League final on Saturday.
Eriksen was the architect of Ireland’s downfall when Denmark destroyed The Boys in Green 5-1 in the World Cup playoff at the Aviva last November, with the 27-year-old netting a clinically taken hat-trick.
Spurs meet Liverpool in the Champions League final in Madrid just six days before Ireland face Denmark in a crucial Euro qualifier in Copenhagen. However, McCarthy suggested the outcome of that game will have little impact on how a ‘top player’ like Eriksen will play against his side.
“Only if somebody clumps him I guess,” McCarthy said at the launch of The SPAR FAI Primary School 5s Programme at the Aviva today.
“If he has a disappointment, I doubt very much a disappointment in his life will affect him that much against us.
“If he wins it, he’s a bloody good player anyway, so it makes no odds. He’s a top player. We’ll have to deal with him no matter what happens.
McCarthy did though highlight how on-loan Charlton midfielder Josh Cullen has arrived in camp in excellent form, with the 23-year-old buzzing after his clubs playoff success, and suggested a Spurs victory may well spell trouble for Ireland.
“Josh has come in and he looks like he has just played in a play-off final. He looks like he has just created the winning goal and has had a brilliant time and enjoying his football. He was different class today in training.
“If Christian Eriksen wins it [Champions League] and he comes in in that frame of mind, and that form, then we could be in trouble.”
McCarthy also confirmed that promising 18-year-old midfielder Luca Connell has left the Ireland camp with a thigh strain.