|
|
Ireland international Sean St Ledger: Facing Spain at Euro 2012 will be ‘a great test’
The Leicester City defender also expects the clash with Italy will be an emotional occasion for manager Giovanni Trapattoni, while Croatia complete Group C
2 Dec 2011 18:47:00
By Alfie Meekings
Getty Images
Leicester City and Ireland defender Sean St Ledger is excited at the prospect of facing world and European champions Spain at Euro 2012.
Ireland have been drawn in Group C, along with Spain, Italy and Croatia and St Ledger insists his side are just happy to be playing in a major tournament, although he would have preferred an easier group.
“I’m excited about it. It’s great to be playing in a major tournament but it could have been more friendly to us,” he told TalkSport.
“It’ll be a great test. I’m looking forward to it like everyone is. If you want to go all the way you have to play against these teams at some point.
“A lot of the boys haven’t played in a major tournament before, so it’s a great opportunity to us. We’ve played Italy and Croatia before so we kind of know what it’s all about.”
The 26-year-old also acknowledged that his side’s encounter with Italy would be a big match, most importantly for his manager, Trapattoni, who is Italian.
“We’ve played them a lot in recent times,” he continued.
“We’ve had some good results but we know about their quality. Obviously it’s a big occasion for him [Trapattoni].”
When asked whether he thought his side would qualify for the quarter-final stage of the tournament, St Ledger responded positively.
“It’s a tough group. We’ve got our best results when we have been underdogs,” he added.
“It’s hard to say, it’s a tough, tough group but we’ve got as much chance as anyone else in the group”.
Ireland begin their campaign against Croatia in Poznan on June 11.
| Bet: | Returns: | Hungary £26.00 | Draw £32.00 | Ireland £25.00 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Hungary £29.00 | Draw £32.00 | Ireland £25.00 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Hungary £28.00 | Draw £32.50 | Ireland £25.00 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Hungary £29.00 | Draw £33.00 | Ireland £24.00 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Hungary £28.50 | Draw £31.00 | Ireland £23.50 |
|
Ireland have been drawn in Group C, along with Spain, Italy and Croatia and St Ledger insists his side are just happy to be playing in a major tournament, although he would have preferred an easier group.
“I’m excited about it. It’s great to be playing in a major tournament but it could have been more friendly to us,” he told TalkSport.
“It’ll be a great test. I’m looking forward to it like everyone is. If you want to go all the way you have to play against these teams at some point.
“A lot of the boys haven’t played in a major tournament before, so it’s a great opportunity to us. We’ve played Italy and Croatia before so we kind of know what it’s all about.”
The 26-year-old also acknowledged that his side’s encounter with Italy would be a big match, most importantly for his manager, Trapattoni, who is Italian.
“We’ve played them a lot in recent times,” he continued.
“We’ve had some good results but we know about their quality. Obviously it’s a big occasion for him [Trapattoni].”
When asked whether he thought his side would qualify for the quarter-final stage of the tournament, St Ledger responded positively.
“It’s a tough group. We’ve got our best results when we have been underdogs,” he added.
“It’s hard to say, it’s a tough, tough group but we’ve got as much chance as anyone else in the group”.
Ireland begin their campaign against Croatia in Poznan on June 11.
Visit our Euro 2012 microsite for all you need to know ahead of Friday's draw and beyond - team profiles, stadium guides, even which hotels are best to stay in!
| Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
|
Make Your Prediction Choose match
Spain - China
Spain
China
Prediction Submitted
Most Popular Predictions
-
Spain 8-0 China
- 20.91 %
-
Spain 4-0 China
- 14.53 %
-
Spain 5-0 China
- 11.33 %
21:50 BST -
And here are some quotes from today's goalscorer, Danny Welbeck: "It's still the same, me and Ashley [Young] playing together.
"We know each other's games and obviously we're training with each other day in and day out.
"So, it was really good to start up top with him."
"We know each other's games and obviously we're training with each other day in and day out.
"So, it was really good to start up top with him."
Inside Goal.Com
-
Welbeck convinces Hodgson he is the man to lead the line
England beat Norway 1-0 at Wembley, with the Manchester United man hitting an impressive winner to stake his claim for a starting spot at Euro 2012
-
The five players Rodgers could sign to kick-start revolution
The new Reds boss was unveiled to the press on Friday and must immediately begin work on revitalising a thin squad with some additions in the transfer market
-
Managerial merry-go-round keeps spinning as Lambert takes Villa job
The Scot officially left Norwich City on Saturday to become the second new boss in June, following the appointment of Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool on Friday
-
Rodgers ushers in new Anfield era on his own terms
The Northern Irishman inevitably expressed his delight at landing the Reds job but evidenced plenty of the steely resolve which could see him become a success at Anfield
-
The definitive timeline of FSG's hunt for new manager
Kenny Dalglish's sacking at the end of the season sparked a massive hunt for the next Anfield boss, and the former Swansea man has been chosen after several turned the job down
