Seamus Coleman has warned Wales they are in for a hell of a game at the Aviva Stadium tonight.
The Killybegs man said he has heard a lot of talk about the men from the Valleys who will be looking to Gareth Bale to lead the way.
The Ireland skipper told the Irish Sun “We’re a good team with good players and we’re playing good football — and we’re top of the group.
“There is a lot of talk about Wales but I think they’re going to be in for a game as well.”
The build-up has been dominated by stories about Wales having the stardust of Real Madrid ace Bale, while Ireland are hampered by being without so many key men.
Five of the starting line-up that beat Austria 1-0 in Vienna last November are unavailable through injury or suspension, while Wales are at full strength.
But Coleman is unperturbed, highlighting that this Ireland team’s mentality bears little resemblance to that of the side Martin O’Neill took over 40 months ago.
Wales boss Chris Coleman insists his call-up is on merit and not keep him out of England’s clutches.
Or even at the halfway point in the last qualifying campaign, when they could not beat Scotland in what felt like a must-win match.
He said: “We feel we’re going into this game with more confidence than in the previous campaign.
“When the manager came in, we were probably in a sticky spell.
“But slowly but surely we started to get that confidence and started to win games, some very big games, going back to Shane Long’s goal against Germany and then the night in Bosnia and the Italy game.
“All those games gave us confidence and make you come in thinking you can beat most teams that you play. That’s definitely the case.
“All the lads just love meeting up. We’ve a few injuries but there are players desperate to put on that green shirt and perform.
“We’re really looking forward to this game.”
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