John O’Shea is not getting distracted by the several sideshows in play ahead of the opening UEFA Nations League clash with England on Saturday evening.
With the return of former players like Jack Grealish, who played up to Under-21 level for Ireland, and Declan Rice, who actually played three times for the senior side, there was obvious interest in the assistant manager’s thoughts on the two players, who have enjoyed a high-profile England career since declaring for the country of their birth.
And not to mention former Ireland midfielder Lee Carsley who will be in the opposite dug-out following his elevation from Under-21s to senior side, albeit on an interim basis for the Nations League campaign.
It all begins with the clash at the Aviva Stadium and Ireland are boosted by the fact that they have a fully fit squad to choose from ahead of the doubleheader, with Greece next up on Tuesday night.
There were concerns over the fitness of Seamus Coleman and Andrew Omobamidele due to the fact that both defenders sat out training on Tuesday.
But assistant head coach O’Shea confirmed that there were no injuries and both players trained with the squad on Wednesday morning.
"When you see the England squad and the 26 that were picked, obviously there was potential of lads with little illnesses or niggles and they left themselves a bit of space in terms of the numbers they picked," said O’Shea, when asked about the high profile withdrawals, with Phil Foden, Ollie Watkins and Cole Palmer missing the game on Saturday.
"So they still have some good options to pick from; so they will be okay, but it's full focus on ourselves. Obviously, it brings it into play maybe some of the younger players they picked in the squad so it will be interesting to see."
When asked if he pondered what the Ireland team would be like if Rice stayed, "no, not at all", was O'Shea's response.
"It's one of them, it's a focus on us and the players that are here and the players who want to be here. It's as simple as that.
"Yeah, but he's not here," added O’Shea, when pushed about the player’s quality. "He's in the England squad so we can't keep talking about it.
"You have to curb a lot of England players' impact on the game," said O’Shea when asked about stopping Rice from influencing proceedings.
"When you play a team that has just been in the Euros final, you know they have lots of threats and options to pick from. I think you know that whatever 11 they pick, and the squad of players they have to bring on and change games, it's going to be full focus on our point of view to stop them but, more importantly, what we can do to cause them problems."
As for former team-mate Carsley, again it was of little concern for O’Shea, who shifted the focus to Ireland and how they would approach the new campaign under new head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson.
"Maybe the people behind the scenes would like to see him (Carsley) continuing that role into the senior one and they have given him that chance. But I'm sure there will be a cry out from other names in the public in England as well," said O’Shea.
"As far as we're concerned, it's nothing for us to worry about. Our focus is on the start of the Nations League qualifiers and the manager, Heimir, coming in and that we give him our full backing and support and hopefully get off to a good start.
"Look, as a team-mate and person, any time I see him I always get on well with Lee, or 'Carso' as he's known. It's one of them, it's a different scenario now. I haven't seen him recently but I'm sure there will be a chance to catch up with him on Saturday."
O’Shea, of course, comes into this camp in a different role, having led the team as interim head coach for the past four games, however, he feels that things are going well with the new man in charge ahead of such a vital opener.
"It's a case of everyone supporting each other, and Paddy (McCarthy’s) influence is always important too. You bring that combination together and ultimately Heimir is the manager, we are here to do anything we can to help him.
"It's been good. Most importantly it's been good for the players to see what he's about, getting to know him the last few weeks, being here in Abbotstown and being at games, talking about ideas but the most important thing for me is, he's a very good manager and a very good coach, the details he gives the players.
"I know what I am seeing, the information, but the players will be the most important in that sense. The clarity is there for everyone and that's the most important thing.
"There is brilliant knowledge and there is good information getting through to the players and it’s just bringing it all together for the game on Saturday."
Watch Turkey v Republic of Ireland in UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying on Friday from 5.40pm on the RTÉ News Channel and RTÉ Player
Watch Republic of Ireland v England in the UEFA Nations League on Saturday from 4pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app and listen to commentary on RTÉ Radio 1
