Former Republic of Ireland international Sean St Ledger is confident that the current team will be able to put the unrest of the last week behind them and get a result in what he believes is a derby game with Wales tonight.
Ireland face Wales in Cardiff in their opening game of the UEFA Nations League with a cloud over the squad.
The uncertainty over the future of Declan Rice and Harry Arter’s withdrawal from the squad, following a bust-up with assistant manager Roy Keane, have dominated the build-up to the game.
However St Ledger is confident that the players involved in tonight’s game will be able to put all of this week’s distractions behind them and put in a performance.
Listen to the full interview with Sean St Ledger on Drivetime, on RTÉ Radio One at 4:55pm.
Wales certainly won’t lack for motivation with this being Ryan Giggs’ first major test as Wales manager and the fact that it’s the first time the two sides have met since Ireland won 1-0 in Cardiff last October to book their place in the World Cup play-offs.
Speaking to RTÉ Sport, St Ledger said: "We got a great result last time when we did them 1-0, so I’m sure the Wales players will be looking to get revenge and it’s Ryan Giggs’ first competitive game in charge and he’ll want to start with a win.
"For the Irish players it’s a chance to impress and a competitive game. They’re trying to get rid of the friendlies and I think there’s no better game than this one, they’ll be playing against players that they’re used to, that they play week-in-week-out and so you want to give a good account of yourself.
"Maybe there’s been a lot of negativity around the camp about Declan Rice, Harry Arter and the injuries so I think that the players and management will just be happy that there’s a game of football that they can concentrate on."
Along with the distraction of the absence of Arter and Rice, Ireland also have to cope with an injury crisis.
James McCarthy Robbie Brady, Shane Long, Sean Maguire and Scott Hogan were ruled out when the squad was announced, while James McClean suffered a broken wrist in training.
McClean scored the winning goal in last October’s 1-0 win over Wales but St Ledger believes that Ireland will have enough in defence to cope with the Welsh and backed Jon Walters to lead the Irish attack.
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"For the new players and Callum Robinson especially, it’s a great opportunity to come into the team and stake a claim and with Jon Walters coming back, he’s had a frustrating period but now he’s back playing football, he’ll be vitally important for the experience side of things.
"When you playing against Wales, there is a rivalry there and it’ll be a case of keeping cool heads. When you have someone like Jon Walters there, players look up to him. He’s been one of Ireland’s best players for the last two years so he’ll be a huge part of tonight.
"I think when you see things like the Harry Arter and Declan Rice things, sometimes this brings the squad together. Like I said there has been a lot of negativity surrounding this game
"The players and the staff know there are questions being asked and they’ve been tested. They’ll be tested tonight and you’ll have to see what kind of performance they’ll put it.
"But what I would say is that the foundation of the Irish side in years gone by has been a strong defence. Yes there are injuries but Seamus Coleman is back, Shane Duffy’s there, Ciaran Clark’s there and Stephen Ward’s there so you look at the foundation of the side and the main players are there.
"Okay there are injuries in attack but you know what? Let’s go out there, be fearless and hopefully try and get a result."
Follow Wales v Republic of Ireland with our live blog on RTE.ie and the RTÉ News Now App.
There is full live commentary on an extended Game On on RTE 2FM from 7pm this evening where Hugh Cahill and John Kenny will be joined by Stephen Kenny, Pat Fenlon and Alan Cawley.
