Stephen Hunt has spoken of his excitement and the ‘buzz’ surrounding the build up to Ireland’s trip to the Euro 2012 finals in Poland next month.
Speaking to Ciarán Ó Raghallaigh on the Over The Line podcast Hunt spoke of his ‘unbelievable memories’ of watching Ireland during the 1990 World Cup in Italy and the 2002 world Cup in Japan, and his hope of emulating the player s of previous campaigns.
“It would be great to be part of the history, to score a winning goal or to have a major impact on the tournament and be remembered for that. My aim for the next four weeks is to try and get in the team and be ready”
And Hunt contends that he has every chance of playing his part in the campaign and does not believe that the winger positions are set in stone, with Aiden McGeady & Damien Duff being automatic first choice wingers.
“I know the manager gives me my fair share of the games and he believes in me, and I played the same ammount of games as Duffer in the last campaign”
The Waterford born winger also spoke of the inclusion of James McClean in the squad for Poland.
“Fair play to James he’s had a good season which means 1 – he’s available for Ireland, 2 - it’s competition, and 3 - it’s healthy competition for the squad”
“ It certainly motivates you to do better but also to help james, he’s a young lad and everyone in the squad will welcome him and help him along the way, because we all want to do well”
Hunt also gave an interesting insight into how group C might play out for Ireland, a result which would see Ireland progressing to the later stages of the competition.
“We need to go there, do well and make our own history. I’ve an idea how the group will pan out that has us qualifying. I don’t think it’s important to win the Croatia, a draw just keeps everything alive and builds momentum going into the Spain game and then with the Italian game, we’d be hoping that we’d have enough in the locker to beat them, if needs be”
Richard Dunne has spoken of his excitement at making the trip to Poland for the Euro 2012 finals next month and going head to head against some of the world’s best teams.
Ireland kick-off their Euro 2012 campaign against Croatia on Sunday June 10th in Poznan.They will then meet Spain – the tournament favourites and reigning world and European champions - in Gdansk on June 14th before meeting Italy in Poznan on June 18th.
It’s brilliant, the excitement is the same for me and Shay & Robbie as it is for every child waiting to watch the games”
"It’s a hard group and we wanted to test ourselves against the best, and we’ve got certainly the best team in the world in our group and two other brilliant teams as well, so it’s exciting more than anything because you want to play against the best teams and have the chance to beat and upset them".
“We are going to have the opportunity this summer and for us, we know what we can do, we know we can upset teams and win games”
And Dunne never doubted that he would overcome a serious shoulder injury that at one point threatened his trip to the Euro finals in june.
He suffered a fracture to the right clavicle after falling heavily when challenging Manchester City keeper Joe Hart during a league game in February.
Speaking on Today FM Dunne Said “The shoulder is really good, I had the operation and done all the rehab and I’ve a metal plate in it so it’s stronger than before, so I’m raring to go now”
“The doctor told me straight away how long it would be and that I’d be back playing before the season ended, so I never really feared I’d miss out on the Euro’s, it was just a case of being patient”
Giovanni Trapattoni will name his 23 man squad for the Euro 2012 finals tomorrow afternoon.
And while there has been little speculation about his five forward options for the finals (Keane,Doyle,Long,Cox, Walters), the same cannot be said about his possible choices over the midfield eight.
The probable inclusion of Derry's James McClean has made the midfield eight even more competitive, and with so much quality to choose from in this category, some big names are going to be left behind to watch the finals on TV.
Duff, Whelan, Andrews and Mcgeady are certain to be on the plane to Poland next month, and Gibson and Hunt will likely make the final 23, but if McClean is included that leaves a number of established players fighting it out for the final midfield birth.
James McCarthy, Seamus Coleman and Keith Fahey will all be hopeful of gaining the final midfield spot, but two will miss out. And will Trap decide to shock the country by including Paul Green?
Defence is likely to made up of Dunne, O'Shea, Stledger, Ward, Kelly, O'Dea and Foley.
We'll find out at 3.30pm tomorrow.
Ireland have continued their march up the FIFA rankings list. The home draw with the Czech Republic has resulted in Giovanni Trapattoni’s side moving up one spot to 18th place alongside Switzerland in the latest world rankings announced by FIFA.
It's Ireland's highest ranking since the summer of 2005 and shows the continued progress made by Giovanni Trapattoni during his four year reign as Irish boss.
Spain, Ireland’s Group C opponents at the Euro 2012 finals, remain top of the pile while Croatia (8th) and Italy (12th) are still ranked above Giovanni Trapattoni’s side, although the Italians have fallen outside of the top 10 losing three places in March.
Ireland international James McClean capped off a great few days with a man of the match display as Sunderland defeated QPR at the Stadium Of Light.
fresh from signing a new Black Cats contract yesterday, the Derryman set up the first goal, added one of his own before playing a crucial role in the third to secure a 3-1 victory over QPR.
And today's impressive display did not go unnoticed by manager Martin O'Neill who showered praise on the Irish winger.
"I thought he was outstanding today, absolutely outstanding. And to be perfectly honest he's been outstanding since he came into the limelight," O'Neill told Sky Sports.
"I think (it was a) great performance by him today and he's earned every penny of it and he's been a great boost to the football club here in his time.
"He's got a great attitude to it. Not just a great attitude, he's got a great ability as well as he's shown this afternoon, I thought he was outstanding and I'm obviously delighted for him."
The 22-year-old penned an improved deal until the end of the 2014-15 season yesterday having signed from Derry City for just £350,000 last summer.
McClean's continued progress has also given Irish boss Giovanni Trapattoni more food for thought ahead of his squad selection for Euro 2012.
Ireland winger Aiden McGeady has urged Derry duo Shane Duffy and James McClean to take their chance this week to impress Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni.
Duffy and McClean were not in Trapattoni's original squad for the Czech Republic friendly, but are now in line to make their international debuts on Wednesday night at Lansdowne Road.
A combination of Richard Dunne's shoulder injury and impressive defensive displays for Everton in recent months has seen Duffy return to the senior international set-up.
This week will be the 20-year-old centre-back's first opportunity with the senior squad since he ruptured his hepatic artery in a training match in May 2010 and Trapattoni said yesterday that Duffy is likely to feature at some point during the Czech Republic friendly.
Fellow Derry man McClean was added to the squad last week and Trap will be hoping to see some of his impressive recent club displays for Sunderland transfer to the international stage.
"This is the last real game before the Euros it is a big chance for everyone to impress and get in the manager's final squad selection," said McGeady.
"I was actually with James coming back in the car from the airport. We just spoke briefly. The two boys came in today for the first training session. The two of them done well and will be good additions to the squad.
"You have got the chance to impress the manager in training, but game time is when it really counts. It is up to them and it is a great opportunity for them."
The Russian season does not start until the 5th of March, so McGeady's pre-season training has meant he has seen little of McClean's rapid progress in the Premiership.
McGeady said: "The last month or so I have been everywhere in training camps. I have not seen much football. I have seen bits here and there.
"From what I know he has been performing well and he looks a really good prospect. Direct and pacey.
"He looks as if he has got a good cross on him as well and a knack of scoring goals. He has been doing really well. He's obviously worthy of his call-up."
With Trapattoni saying that McClean could play on either wing, the Sunderland man's inclusion could be seen to be competition for McGeady.
However, the former Celtic midfielder welcomes any contest for his starting place and feels it can only benefit the team.
"It is the same at club level. There are always players vying for the same position," McGeady said.
"Of course if there is somebody who is going to take your place, then you up your game. I try to up my game anyway, but obviously if I do people will say it is down to someone breathing down my neck.
"The more players you have got playing at the top of their game, playing in the Premiership, then of course it is going to be healthy for the squad."
With just over three months to Ireland's opening game in Euro 2012 McGeady freely admits that the excitement of playing in his first major tournament is leading to a few restless night's.
"I wake up at night dreaming about it just," he laughed.
"You just want to get to a major finals. Now we have to make sure we stay fit and give ourselves the best possible chance to shine at the Euros.
"Everyone is absolutely buzzing for it and still on a high from last November. We are looking forward to the initial gathering at the end of May and then the championships themselves. It is going to be fantastic.
"We weren't expected to qualify and we did, but now we are there we are going to do everything we can to get out of the group. We are in a very tough group.
"Our record has been good against Italy over the last few years. We played [Croatia] not so long ago and we drew 0-0.
"Spain are obviously the favourites to win the whole competition. But it is not totally unrealistic for us to get out of the group. We have a good set of players and we are due a place in the tournament. We'll see what happens. We'll give ourselves every chance."
Sunderland midfielder James McClean has been called into Giovanni Trapattoni's Ireland squad for the friendly at Lansdowne Road on 29 February.
McClean tweeted after hearing the news of his international call-up: "Absolutely buzzin and honoured to be called up to represent my country... best feeling there is."
The Derry born winger has made a sensational starts to his Sunderland career and had been expected to be included in Giovanni Trapattoni's initial squad when it was announced earlier this month, but will now take his place along with Paul Green in a 26-man squad.
McClean was signed from his home-town club for £350,000 last summer by O'Neill's predecessor Steve Bruce, but it was not until the new manager's arrival at the Stadium of Light that he was given the opportunity to make an impact on the senior stage.
McClean made an eye-catching first-team debut as a substitute in the new manager's opening game, a 2-1 Barclays Premier League victory over Blackburn, and after a further two appearances from the bench, was handed a start against Manchester City on New Year's Day.
He has remained in the team ever since and has contributed four goals as well as some fine wing play to Sunderland's impressive run of form, which saw them beat Arsenal 2-0 on Saturday to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals and extend their record under O'Neill to 10 victories in 15 games.
Asked recently about McClean's international potential ahead of this summer's Euro 2012 finals, O'Neill said: "He is more than worth having a look at. I think he can force his way into the squad.
"Of course, the players who have got the Republic of Ireland there would deserve great credit for that, but there is always room for an emerging talent."
McClean's chance may now come earlier than he initially thought having been presented with the opportunity to impress the Italian in training at Ireland's Malahide base ahead of the clash with the Czechs.
Ireland international Keith Andrews is already eyeing up a long-term future with West Brom following a dream debut in last week’s mauling of Wolves.
Dublin born Andrews, who started his career with Wolves in 1999, playing in 72 matches over six years, scored West Brom’s fourth goal in the 5-1 rout at Molineux.
Andrews has admitted that he would like to make the move permanent.
'I would certainly be open to a longer deal,' said Andrews.
'I have come here to play for a head coach I want to play for and a club I believe is run well and has a good set of lads that I enjoy coming in and working with every day.
'I enjoy being part of the team, so I am certainly open to it and I'm sure if I keep going the way I am then the club will be as well.
'I was delighted just to get on and make my debut and I was delighted with the result.
'The score, and to win by that margin, was Roy of the Rovers stuff. It was a dream come true.'
31 year old Andrews will be keen to get as much game time as possible for the Baggies over the next few months as he wants to remain firmly within Giovanni Trapattoni’s thoughts for a starting birth in the Irish midfield for the upcoming Euro finals in Poland later this year.
Irish boss Giovanni Trapattoni has called Everton defender Shane Duffy into the Ireland squad for this month’s international friendly against Czech Republic at Lansdowne Road.
The 20-year-old Derry born defender will replace Richard Dunne in the 24-man squad after the Villa defender learned he will sidelined for eight weeks with a fractured clavicle suffered during Villa’s 1-0 defeat to Manchester City yesterday afternoon.
Duffy will join up with the squad for training on February 26, three days before the Dublin friendly. The Derryman has shown great promise at the heart of the Everton defence in recent weeks having made his Premier League debut last month against Tottenham Hotspur.
The FAI today officially confirmed that Giovanni Trapattoni's Ireland will play the Czech Republic in a friendly in Dublin on February 29.
They said the friendly will be the first of two home matches to be played in the Aviva Stadium before Ireland go to the Euro Finals in June. The second friendly will take place at the end of May and the opposition will be revealed by the association soon.
The Czech's will provide a strong test for a confident Ireland side and the squad announcement should shed some light on the probable make-up of the final 23 man squad for Euro 2012.
Ireland will be based in Gdynia in Poland for Euro 2012, the Football Association today confirmed
Giovanni Trapattoni and Marco Tardelli visited Poland this week to sign off on the base camp for the finals.
Gdynia is located in the Pomeranian region of Poland and is part of a metropolitan area around the city of Gdansk, known as Tricity. The team will be located at the Sheraton Sopot Hotel.
Trapattoni said: "I am very happy that we have been able to secure Gdynia as a base camp for Euro 2012. This base meets and exceeds all of our criteria, having a good training ground, being close to the airport and being based in Poland.
"The hotel and training facilities are excellent and provide us with a well-positioned base with all of the facilities required for the championships."
The Irish team will train at the Municipal Stadium in Gdynia, a new ground with a capacity of 15,000.
Ireland's first match will see them transfer to the Municipal Stadium in Poznan to face Croatia on 10 June.
Ireland will then play Spain in the Gdansk Arena on 14 June and in the final Group C match, Ireland will take on Italy in Poznan on 18 June.
The draw for UEFA EURO 2012 will take place on December 2nd in Kiev, Ukraine. Ireland are 4th seeds and the draw will determine our entry into one of four groups, A, B, C or D.
Each of the four groups will play matches across two host venues in one of the host countries, either Poland or Ukraine.
• Group A will play matches in the Polish cities of Warsaw and Wroclaw
• Group B will play matches in the Ukranian cities of Kharkiv and Lviv
• Group C will play matches in the Polish cities of Poznan and Gdansk
• Group D will play matches in Ukranian cities of Donetsk and Kiev
Depending on the venues drawn on December 2nd, the number of tickets allocated by UEFA for Irish supporters will range from between 6,000 and 10,000 per match.
Ticket allocations for Irish supporters
In order to distribute tickets fairly to supporters during the UEFA EURO 2012 championships, an FAI Fan Sales Portal will be set up on www.uefa.com from December 12th 2011 until February 29th 2012.
Those entitled to apply for tickets through this portal will include:
1. Supporters who have attended away matches during the EURO 2012 qualifying campaign.
2. Vantage Club Members
3. Current Season Ticket Holders (Season 2011/2012)
4. Active Block Bookers
Please note: Clubs, leagues and affiliates who have a ticket allocation with the FAI will be contacted by the FAI separately.
In total there are more than 6,500 individuals in these groups and each person will be entitled to apply for a maximum of two tickets per person for each of the group stage matches involving the Republic of Ireland in UEFA EURO 2012, as well as the knock-out stages of the tournament should Ireland progress.
How do I apply?
If you are entitled to apply for tickets by falling into the categories above, you will be contacted by the FAI during the week commencing December 5th and ending December 9th. You will be provided with a password that will allow you to log on to the FAI Fan Sales Portal on www.uefa.com
This portal will open on Monday December 12th @ 9am and will close on February 29th 2012 @ midnight. The FAI Fan Sales Portal on www.uefa.com will invite you to apply by registering your information and providing payment details.
Please note that applications on this portal are not made on a first come, first served basis so it is sufficient to register and apply any time between December 12th 2011 and February 29th 2012.
A maximum of two tickets per match can be requested by each applicant.
If your application is successful, your payment will be deducted and you will be notified by March 15th 2012 as to the success of your application and beakdown of tickets.
Please note that Terms & Conditions will apply to the FAI Fan Sales Portal and will be available online once the portal opens.
NB Applicants will be given the option to apply for tickets for Quarter-Final, Semi-Final & Final tickets should Ireland qualify for these rounds. Successful applicants for the above will receive match Tickets for the Group Stage fixtures, and then Vouchers for the knock-out stages which can be redeemed prior to match day should Ireland qualify for that particular match. If Ireland are eliminated at any stage the applicant will be refunded the appropriate amount and their Vouchers rendered invalid.
If you do not fall into the above categories, there are three further options available:
1) Book packages through Abbey Travel, the FAI's official travel partner.
2) Book packages through Thomson Sport, the licensed travel partner of UEFA EURO 2012.
3) Apply through the UEFA European Re-sale portal which redistributes tickets based on availaibility of returns.
Ireland are in the fourth group of seeds for the Euro 2012 finals draw, UEFA confirmed today.
Giovanni Trapattoni's 'Boys In Green', who completed a 5-1 aggregate play-off win against Estonia last night, have been drawn alongside Denmark, France and Czech Republic in Pot 4.
Euro 2012 co-hosts Poland and Ukraine, who have already been allocated to groups A and D respectively, are in the top group of seeds alongside reigning world and European champions Spain and 2010 World Cup finalists the Netherlands.
England have been allocated a spot in the second pot alongside Euro 2008 runners-up Germany, 2006 world champions Italy and Russia.
Pot 3 contains shock Euro 2004 winners Greece, Croatia, Portugal and Sweden.
The pots have been decided on the countries' UEFA coefficient rankings, except for the co-hosts.
The draw for the finals, which will be broadcast live on RTÉ Television and RTÉ.ie, will be made in Kiev on 2 December.
Seedings for Euro 2012
Pot 1: Spain, Netherlands, Poland*, Ukraine*.
Pot 2: Germany, Italy, England, Russia.
Pot 3: Croatia, Greece, Portugal, Sweden.
Pot 4: Denmark, France, Czech Republic, Republic of Ireland.
* Poland already allocated to Group A, Ukraine already allocated to Group D.
Ireland confirmed their place at next summer's European Championships with a 1-1 draw against Estonia in the second leg of their Euro 2012 play-off.
Already four up from the first leg, Ireland looked to be coasting when Stephen Ward fired home the opener after keeper Pavel Londak failed to hold Kevin Doyle's header.
However, Estonia battled back and captain Konstanin Vassiljev equalised with a long-range strike that Shay Given could only push into the net.
It failed to spoil the party atmosphere at Lansdowne Road as Ireland celebrated qualification for their first major tournament in ten years and their first European Championships since 1988.
There were wild scenes of celebration as most of the 51,151 fans, including new president Michael D Higgins, stayed behind to acknowledge the players on a lap of honour.
Trapattoni had made three changes from the side that had won in Tallinn, as John O'Shea, Kevin Doyle and Stephen Hunt replaced Stephen Kelly, Jonathan Walters and Aiden McGeady.
The Estonia team showed six changes from the first leg hammering, with injury and suspensions also playing a part in Tarmo Ruutli's selection.
The FAI aided the party atmosphere by providing over 50,000 green cards for fans to show their support. It was like the last day of school, as these became paper airplanes that cascaded down onto the pitch.
Down on that now littered pitch, Trapattoni's side produced a show, in the first half at least, with Damien Duff once again the main entertainer.
Two chances fell Robbie Keane's way inside the opening six minutes as Ireland began in a positive mood, matching that of the home fans.
The skipper controlled Doyle's flick-on but keeper Londak rushed out to block with his feet and Estonia bundled the ball away.
Estonia were then caught out as Hunt squared a free-kick to Duff on the edge of the box. Londak parried straight to Keane, who somehow failed to find the target from five yards.
For all the show, there was still plenty of graft, notably from Glenn Whelan and Keith Andrews in central midfield.
Taavi Rahn tried to end the home's side's high spirits with a crunching challenge on Duff that yielded a yellow card.
It was not all one-way traffic, as Estonia often pushed on with four men in attack. Ward was on his toes to stop Vassiljev's through ball reaching Vladimir Voskoboinikov.
Estonia suffered a blow when they lost the impressive Dmitri Kruglov to injury after just 17 minutes. It was to get worse for the visitors on the half hour.
Ward has established himself as first choice left-back, but he showed he has not lost his striker's instincts by grabbing the opening goal.
Duff's corner was headed goalwards by Doyle and when Londak once again failed to gather, Ward was on hand to fire home from close-range.
At the other end it was a mainly quiet first half for Given, but he got down well to save from Voskoboinikov and was commanding in coming for crosses.
As half-time approached, Duff and Doyle combined again to set up Keane, but the captain's toe-poked attempt at goal drifted wide.
Vassiljev gave the away fans something to cheer about on 57 minutes with a long-range equaliser that Given should been have equal to.
The Estonia skipper is well-known for his shooting prowess, but Ireland stood off him and allowed the shot that skimmed off Given's fists into the net.
Substitute McGeady had an immediate impact as his clever reverse pass found Keane in space. A superb block by Ragnar Klavan kept the scores level.
Ireland were clearly stung into action by the goal and Londak was tested by Doyle's low strike and Richard Dunne's powerful header.
There were standing ovations for Keane and Duff when they were withdrawn, which was as much for their work in the career as on the night.
It was as exercised as the home fans got in the final quarter as the game wound down to an anti-climax.
Doyle almost capped another fine performance with a late headed winner, but it mattered little as the team were already well on their way to Poland and Ukraine.
Qualification will have also strengthened Trapattoni's hand in contract talks with the FAI, as attention turns to the draw for the group stages in Kiev on 2 December.
Ireland: 1 Given; 4 O'Shea, 2 St Ledger, 5 Dunne, 3 Ward; 7 Hunt (12 McGeady '59), 6 Whelan, 8 Andrews, 11 Duff (15 Fahey '79); 9 Doyle, 10 Keane (17 Cox '67).
Subs not used: 16 Westwood, 13 McCarthy, 14 O'Dea, 18 Walters.
Estonia: 12 Londak; 17 Jaager, 3 Rahn, 15 Klavan, 5 Kruglov (7 Puri '18); 20 Saag, 23 Teniste; 14 Vassiljev, 13 Vunk, 10 Lindpere (9 Kink '54), 8 Voskoboinikov (11 Purje '73).
Subs not used: 22 Kotenko, 19 Barengrub, 6 Dmitrijev, 2 Sisov.
John O'Shea and Kevin Doyle are back in the Ireland team for tomorrow night's Euro 2012 play-off second leg against Estonia in Lansdowne Road.
Stephen Kelly at right back and Jon Walters in attack are the players that make way for the returning duo.
O'Shea comes back into the side following a hamstring injury, while Doyle returns from suspension to partner Robbie Keane in the Irish attack.
In a third change to the starting team from the first-leg encounter in Tallinn, Stephen Hunt takes Aiden McGeady's place on the wing, but Giovanni Trapattoni has indicated that Spartak Moscow man McGeady will play the second half of the game.
The Irish management team also confirmed that LA Galaxy requested Keane return to the United States following Ireland's 4-0 away win in A. Le Coq Arena. However, the team's captain has chosen to remain in international camp for the second leg.
LA Galaxy play Houston Dynamo in the final of the MLS Cup on Sunday, which explains the California team's desire to get the Ireland international back to the States.
Stephen Kelly is out of Ireland's Euro 2012 play-off decider against Estonia on Tuesday night at Landsowne Road.
The Fulham defender has been ruled out with a groin injury, although John O'Shea has recovered from a hamstring problem and is likely to slot into the right-back position.
Ireland Assistant manager Marco Tardelli confirmed Kelly's absence following training in Malahide this afternoon.
The Italian also revealed that midfielder Damien Duff was able to take part in the session despite returning from Tallinn with a rib injury.
Ireland captain Robbie Keane believes their Euro 2012 play-off tie against Estonia is all but over after their 4-0 first-leg win.
Keane scored twice as his team thrashed their nine-man hosts in Tallinn.
"It is a great result. This game should be over now and if we don't qualify we'll be devastated," said Keane ahead of Tuesday's return leg in Dublin.
"We deserve to go through because of the way we have played in the campaign. There is confidence in the squad."
Estonia will be missing missing first-choice keeper Sergei Pareiko and central defenders Raio Piiroja and Andrei Stepanov through suspension for Tuesday's return leg.
But Giovanni Trapattoni was keen to stress that his side must keep their focus.
"The cat is in the sack, but the sack is not closed," said the 72-year-old. "The cat is in it, but it's open - and it's a wild cat.
"But we have to have respect for our opponents for what they have achieved in this qualification campaign.
"At this moment, we are near qualifying at 4-0. But I repeat the same sentence: don't jump the gun."
Keane, who has now scored 55 international goals, was full of praise for his fellow goalscorers after Keith Andrews opened the scoring and Jonathan Walters notched his first international goal.
"Jonathan Walters is brilliant," added Keane. "He's a handful and he deserved to score. Keith was superb from the start and he drove us on from midfield."
Andrews admitted the result had come as a bit of a shock.
"It hasn't sunk in yet. It's hard to believe we have come here and won 4-0," said the Ipswich Town midfielder.
"I thought we played very well, harried them and fortunately got the result.
"If we keep a clean sheet it will be a fantastic night on Tuesday. Over the past few years this group has really come together."
Ireland striker Jon Walters says he won't be afraid to mix it up with Estonia's defenders if required by Giovanni Trapattoni during the Euro play-off's.
The Stoke City player is vying for a starting birth with Simon Cox, for Kevin Doyle's place and is adamant that he will play whatever role he is asked to in Friday's away encounter.
Walters said: "I am not the sort of player to shirk out of anything, I'll go wholeheartedly into anything so if that's putting myself about or doing whatever needs to be done, I'll do that.
"I have the scars on my head and eyebrows to prove that. I'll get involved and get mixed up in whatever needs to be done."
28-year-old Walters played just over 10 minutes of the last group game but may have done enough to pip Simon Cox for a starting place in Tallinn.
He is also Stoke's joint top scorer this season with five goals in 21 appearances, compared to Cox's one goal in six games for West Brom.
With Robbie Keane having come through three games with LA Galaxy after his injury, Walters is hoping that he gets the nod to partner the Irish captain in attack. He says that his ability to play with different types of strike partner may give him the edge.
"I've played with so many different strikers over the past few years, five or six in the past year while I've been at Stoke. I think that adaptability is one of the attributes of my game and playing well with different players and linking up," he said.
"Whatever the manager asks you to do or how to play, you try and if it's a different job I am asked to do - whether it's to hold it up or flick it on and behind, I'll try my best to do that.
"[In the last game against Armenia] after about 30 seconds of coming on, Doyler got sent off so that changed what I needed to do. I went up there just to hold up the ball and keep the pressure off our defence for a little while, that was my job and hopefully I did that quite well."
"Obviously, it's only the halfway point after the first game and we've got to concentrate on getting through. but getting a goal away from home is always important and with such a good defensive record, that we have as a team, if we can get a goal it can be enough.
"They've done exactly the same as we've done to get where they are. They're not going to be pushovers and they're not going to be easy. We may not have heard of them so much in world football but you tend to find players from countries like that are technically very good.
"As soon as you underestimate teams you get a kick up the backside. So that's the last thing anyone in the squad will be doing. It's the worst thing you can do."
with Simon Cox - man of the match in the last qualifier against Armenia - for Kevin Doyle's place and is adamant that he will play whatever role he is asked to in Friday's crunch encounter.
Walters said: "I am not the sort of player to shirk out of anything, I'll go wholeheartedly into anything so if that's putting myself about or doing whatever needs to be done, I'll do that.
"I have the scars on my head and eyebrows to prove that. I'll get involved and get mixed up in whatever needs to be done."
With only a couple of weeks to go until the 20,000+ Green Army leaves home shores for Euro 2012, it would seem that we have as many Ireland Euro 2012 songs as we have travelling fans. 
