Liam Brady has warned nothing fazes Sweden's mercurial striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic after he led Paris Saint-Germain to a swaggering victory against Chelsea in the Champions League last 16 on Wednesday night.
Ibrahimovic will line out against the Republic of Ireland in the Euro 2016 Group E collision on 13 June, and 72-cap international Brady said Martin O'Neill's men must find a way to stifle the towering attacker to have any hope of starting on the right foot in France.
“If we can stop him we can beat Sweden," said Brady. "He’s certainly a character. This guy doesn't fear anything. He accepts responsibility to get on the ball. He's just a big, big player, a wonderful talent.
"He seemed to calm all his team down top give the confidence to go on and produce that second-half performance."
Eamon Dunphy echoed those sentiments, but said Ireland can take hope from his sometimes questionable temperament.
"He doesn't always do it," said Dunphy. "He's a moody player. Although I did see him when Sweden played Denmark in a play-off match and he won it by himself.
"He was amazing, over the two legs. He's a huge talent but you can't get obsessed with one guy. If we play well he won't see as much of the ball. But you have to respect him and you have to realise the threat is there.
"I wouldn't get hung up on him... until 15 minutes before the match, then I'll get worried!"
Meanwhile John Giles sees no reason why the 35-year-old can't strut his stuff in the Premier League next season.
"There's nothing special about the Premier League for players who have the talent he has," Giles said. "If he can do it against Chelsea, then why can't he do it on a regular basis?"
