LIAM BRADY BELIEVES Ireland’s Group C opponents Croatia have what it takes to go all the way.
The former midfield general, who was capped 72 times at international level, made the surprise prediction while discussing the upcoming European Championships alongside his fellow RTE pundits at the station’s launch of their Euro 2012 coverage yesterday.
Ireland face a stern test to get beyond their three group fixtures with the Croats, Spain and Italy with many expecting an early exit.
And Brady believes the 8th-placed side in the world, who the Boys in Green play on June 10, possess a blend of talent, strength and national pride which could see them go far in Poland and Ukraine.
When asked who he would tip to emerge victorious, the ex-Arsenal player picked Slaven Bilic’s side, pointing out Greece’s unlikely win in 2004, before adding that Spain have the best set of players at their disposal.
Croatia have the players,” said Brady, who added that Luka Modric was their main threat. “I always like to go for a team that has great players, who are tough men, play for their country and work very hard. I believe they will have a very good Euro 2012.
“There are four or five teams that you can rule out and the rest are in with a chances. I don’t think Ireland can win, I’ll be honest about that. I don’t think the host nations can do it either. Then, the winners could come from anywhere else.”
Liam Brady was speaking at the launch of RTE Sport’s Euro 2012 coverage. They will show all 31 games live over the course of 24days with analysis from John Giles, Liam Brady, Eamon Dunphy, Kenny Cunningham, Richard Sadlier and Dietmar Hamann.
I dreamt last night we scored against them in the first min. off to the bookies this morn. come on da boys in green.
ah now Liamo, you’re beginning to sound like a cork langer, and we’ve more than enough of them. Ireland will finish top of the group, and you know we will.
and you sound deluded, but I hope you’re right.
Brady is spot on, still hope we do well but it’s going to be hard getting out of our group, if we do we could go all the way
You serious?
I’d listen to mr Brady if I was you, or are we so used to listening to people in this country who don’t know what they are talking about, that we don’t recognise one who does, ?
My only worry is that we’ve been largely untested, Italy had been poor when we played them. France were definitely not playing their A-game. And the first Russia match was a real eye opener.
However the score still ended 3-2, not to mention holding them to 0-0 away.
There’s no doubt about it, we will have to use team morale as a tool, once a good team sees a chink in our armour they’ll tear us apart.
Thankfully trap knows this.
Croatia have a decent squad but we shouldnt fear them, L.Modric is their best player by a stretch, Krancjar is considered an important player for them & he cant make the spurs team. They have some other decent players but I wouldnt put them in the same bracket as Holland, Germany, Spain. The winner will come from those three in my opinion. Ireland can definitely make it out of their group, draw against Croatia as we always do, will probably lose to Spain & go for it against Italy, who knows, there isnt any pressure on us.
If only Paul the Octopus was still with us. He’d know the winner.
Really any team that gets out of any group can win it. Some very tough groups but anything can happen in knockout football. Come on Ireland.