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Shane Long shields the ball from Ivanovic when the teams met in 2014. INPHO/Ryan Byrne 

'Ireland will be our most difficult opponents' - Ivanovic sees Long and Walters as major threats

The Serbia and Chelsea defender knows what to expect when they meet the Boys in Green in tomorrow night’s World Cup qualifier.

Ben Blake reports from Belgrade 

SERBIA CAPTAIN BRANISLAV Ivanovic has paid Ireland a massive compliment by predicting that they will provide the toughest opposition in the World Cup qualifiers.

The two nations are joined by Wales, Austria, Georgia and Moldova in Group D, with the winner guaranteed a spot at the 2018 finals, while the runner-up progresses to the play-offs provided they are one of the best eight second-placed sides.

Experienced Chelsea defender Ivanovic, who has 87 caps for his country, has faced the Boys in Green on three occasions and has yet to lose — although all three games were friendlies.

Having played in the Premier League for the past eight years, the 32-year-old also knows many of the Irish players particularly well, and he spoke highly of forward pair Shane Long and Jon Walters.

“I think Ireland will be the most difficult opponent,” Ivanovic said at today’s pre-match press conference.

“They demand respect and I’ve been impressed by their level of continuity. This team has been playing together awhile and there is a nice mix of young players and players with experience.

It might be because I’ve played in the Premier League for so long, but I understand how difficult an opponent they are. They are aggressive and they make up for any faults the team might have by giving it their very all every second.

“All their players, and especially Long and Walters, are very difficult to defend against. Maybe this is something I shouldn’t be saying before the game but we will be concentrating on them.

“They are the kind of players who don’t give defenders a second to have a lapse in concentration and will make things difficult from start to finish.”

Britain Soccer FA Cup Ivanovic is well aware of how dangerous Jon Walters can be. AP / Press Association Images AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

Serbia have failed to qualify for major tournaments on their past three attempts and, despite possessing a gifted crop of players, finished fourth in the Euro 2016 qualifying group after being docked points due to violent scenes in a clash with Albania.

“The biggest disappointment for a player is not to be at major tournaments like the European championships and the World Cup,” added Ivanovic.

“We are mostly to blame for this, although there were a couple of situations that weren’t up to us but these things happen. We’re ready to go forward and do well.”

Branislav Ivanovic Ivanovic speaking today. Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

Experienced coach Slavoljub Muslin took the job back in May and tomorrow night will be his competitive match in charge.

The Serbians are expecting to win at Belgrade’s Red Star Stadium, but their manager is looking at the bigger picture.

“Serbia will be going into each match playing for a win — home or away,” said Muslin. “Especially as the first match is at home, we’ll be going for three points.

It’s important to get three points from the first match and to start well but it’s not crucial as there are many to come and it’s a long qualifying period.

“We’ve seen Ireland play in the European championships both defensively and also when they needed a win against Italy.

“We need to play our own way and push them to go forward in the match.”

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What starting XI should Ireland put out against Serbia?

Ireland’s standout Euro 2016 player will be key to their World Cup campaign

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16 Comments
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    Mute Seán O Sullivan
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    Sep 4th 2016, 1:01 PM

    Throw McClean up against ivanovic on the wing and McClean will make him look like shit

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    Mute Stuart Kelly
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    Sep 4th 2016, 5:34 PM

    Serbs are expecting us to sit back, let’s hope we do not, let’s play high tempo and put the shitz up them

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    Mute Padraig
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    Sep 4th 2016, 1:02 PM

    I’m after losing interest in this match for the fact that MON has put loyalty ahead of picking some of our better performing players.

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    Mute wayne barron
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    Sep 4th 2016, 1:34 PM

    Like who?

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    Mute Sideshow Brendan
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    Sep 4th 2016, 1:58 PM

    You’ll probably say they are tripe then join the tournament bandwagon

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    Mute Augustus hoop
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    Sep 4th 2016, 2:03 PM

    Other than mcgeady (who is really only there because no one else creative has put their hand up – or is fit (judge)), I don’t think anyone is in that squad due to loyalty alone?
    Not too many were unlucky to miss out either – maybe pilkington, mason, Egan and Doherty are the only ones I can think of….?

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    Mute Padraig
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    Sep 4th 2016, 2:06 PM

    John Egan,Matt Doherty and Conor Hourihane are currently playing better and are 23,24 and 25 respectively so they are not exactly kids.Its a shame that these lads could end up like Weso making their debut in their latter years.

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    Mute Patrick JDoherty
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    Sep 4th 2016, 2:09 PM

    Connor Sammon, of course.

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    Mute Ewan Euphrenza
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    Sep 4th 2016, 3:02 PM

    I think the idea behind this squad is trying to keep the Euros form rolling. It would be hard to get Egan, Doherty and Hourihane up to speed with just a friendly against Oman. We actually have a lot of options at centre back and in midfield, so calling up Egan and Hourihane would be a bit pointless outside of giving them exposure. Every minute you spend getting them up to speed is a minute that could be spent preparing for Serbia.

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    Mute Padraig
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    Sep 4th 2016, 4:33 PM

    @Ewan
    We can have a million options but the players I mentioned are better than who MON has in the squad according to current stats.Also I don’t know what ‘up to speed’ you are on about,these lads are starting for their clubs,are club captains and are scoring goals.

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    Mute Augustus hoop
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    Sep 4th 2016, 5:01 PM

    Hourihane has played what 4-5 games in the championship and you want him
    In ahead of lads that start for their clubs in the prem (and other than Hendrick also did last year)??
    Same with Egan….
    I think it’s a bit too much to be expecting such a quick step up to international football (though I’d agree I’d like to see them in squad).
    Re Doherty having been watched both Christie and him, for me Christie offers more….. Particularly with his lacs given the lack of pace across the rest of the back 4!
    It always frustrates me how good players are before they are called up for us.
    Glenn whelan was an absolute super star when he was captaining Wednesday and not getting called up for us….. Daryl Murphy, Gibson, ward, McCarthy, Sheridan – were all much better players before they were given a chance and then suddenly once they were people were asking why they kept being picked!!

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    Mute Padraig
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    Sep 4th 2016, 5:36 PM

    @Augustus
    I gave you their ages above.When do we give these players their first cap.Do we wait till they turn 30?.

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    Mute Augustus hoop
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    Sep 4th 2016, 11:40 PM

    Either in a friendly – or if it’s a competitive match (this match is huge for the entire campaign) when they have clearly shown they are the best options available. 4-5 games at the same or a level below those they are competing with, isn’t clearly showing it…..

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    Mute running man
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    Sep 5th 2016, 7:58 AM

    O,Connell at Celtic Horgan at Dundalk to name 2

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    Mute Aidan O connor
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    Sep 4th 2016, 6:27 PM

    Serbians

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