Mick McCarthy has reiterated his intention to attempt to take all three points in Tbilisi, while the Ireland manager confirmed that Shane Duffy will start the Euro 2020 qualifier against Georgia.

The Ireland manager was also naturally asked about comments that his team play like Irish dancer Michael Flatley, to which McCarthy replied that he sees it as a massive compliment to be compared to someone who is such a good performer.

And while the manager said that his side were looking to secure the victory, he urged caution as he believes that Georgia showed they are a very capable side in their draw with Denmark last month.

Speculation over the last couple of weeks finally turned into confirmation as McCarthy stated that Duffy would start at the Dinamo Stadium.

"He is fine," said McCarthy, when asked how the centre-back was doing following the seven-hour flight from Dublin.

"I wouldn't let him train yesterday. 'He said why?' 'because I said so’. He had done three days in a row so he had a recovery day.

"The club have been very good and let him come so I must say thank you to Brighton. He trained fully and he is fit to play."

Not known for naming his side publicly until the last minute McCarthy said that Duffy was always going to start once he travelled with the squad.

"It would be kind of ridiculous not to play him considering the way he has been playing," said McCarthy.

But the manager would offer no further insight into the team other than to say that it was nice to have options.

The two positions that are most under speculation ahead of the game are at left-back and up front.

Enda Stevens is suspended for the vital qualifier and while Matt Doherty is expected to start in that position, the manager made a point of stating that he had been impressed with Derrick Williams in training.

"I have been impressed with Derrick Williams coming in, while I know Matt Doherty has played there as well so it is good to have options," said McCarthy.

Aaron Connolly has been drafted into the squad following his remarkable first league start at Brighton last week when he scored twice against Tottenham.

Aaron is in the squad so he has a chance of making his debut

And while the manager said that Connolly may play some part in the game on Saturday, he would not elaborate at today’s pre-match press conference.

"I know Aaron can play out left, but he plays up front in a two for Brighton, so we have options. He is in the squad so he has a chance of making his debut."

Another man in contention to take the striker’s role in the absence of the injured David McGoldrick is Luton Town frontman James Collins.

The commanding centre-forward played the final third of the recent victory over Bulgaria and got on the scoresheet, and the manager admitted that he was another in contention to lead the line.

"It’s not just about the half that I have seen him [against Bulgaria]. It is about how he looks when he comes in and trains with the lads, and he has fitted in very well.

"He looks every bit the international player with us, and there is no point having him in the squad if I didn’t [believe in him].

"If I decide to pick him, I will have no worries at all."

Looking ahead to the game and the manager said that nothing has changed in his mindset despite having to make changes to the side that drew with Switzerland last month.

A win tomorrow would suit me and then we can look ahead to Switzerland

"We respect Georgia, they are a very good team. Their performance against Denmark did not surprise us and they maybe could have won it in the end.

"But we went to Denmark and tried to win the game, so we will do the same here.

"A win tomorrow would suit me and then we can look ahead to Switzerland."

McCarthy had to think for a minute when he was thrown the curveball of the Flatley comparison, which his Georgian counterpart Vladimir Weiss had made in his press conference.

Weiss was implying that the visitors play with lots of energy, and McCarthy decided to take the positive from the Lord of the Dance analogy.

"Michael Flatley is a wonderful performer," said McCarthy. "So to be compared with someone who is so good at his craft, I’ll take that as a huge compliment."

Follow Georgia v Republic of Ireland via our live blog on RTÉ.ie and the News Now app, watch live on RTÉ2 from 1.45pm or listen to full commentary on RTÉ Radio 1 from 1.50pm.