John O'Shea expects talks to extend his contract as Republic of Ireland assistant manager to be "straightforward", but the former international is parking all thoughts of the future until after what he characterises as a cup final scenario in Prague.
The Boys in Green convened at the FAI National Training Centre on Monday morning as Heimir Hallgrimsson's squad began their preparations for Thursday's World Cup play-off semi-final in Czechia in earnest.
At last Thursday's squad announcement, Hallgrimsson had indicated that O'Shea was keen to follow in his own wake by signing a new contract to remain a part of this Irish senior set-up.
Speaking at Monday's press conference, O'Shea said that was his desire. However, he is putting all thoughts about his future on the backburner until after the potentially momentous play-off window ends.
"It's that case of full focus when you come into camp like this. It's full focus on the game ahead," he said.
"All the energy is going into that and then hopefully it will be straightforward then afterwards in terms of (a new contract).
"Listen, it's that thing, I was probably expecting it to happen a little bit possibly sooner in a sense with the boss.
"But listen it's good news, but it's parked now and full focus on the game."
The former Manchester United and Ireland defender believes the squad are ready to meet the moment in Prague.
"Quiet confidence in the group, grown together, but there is a lot of hard work to come."
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) March 23, 2026
Republic of Ireland assistant John O'Shea gave an update from the camp this afternoon
Czechia v Republic of Ireland is this Thursday from 7pm on @rte2, @rteplayer and @rteradio1 pic.twitter.com/lSNIPFVpeU
"The boys are in a good place. Training today, it almost reminded me of that cup final scenario," he said.
"Everyone is wanting to get into the team. The intensity, the noise and the atmosphere around the boys is brilliant.
"I think it's the quiet confidence and the group growing together is great to see. But also there's a lot of hard work to come."
O'Shea added that the mantra that any squad member is in contention to start includes Stoke's uncapped Bosun Lawal and newly-qualified Harvey Vale of QPR.
"The boss has always stressed, we've always stressed to the group - whatever squad arrives in - you're prepared to play all the minutes or you're prepared to play none," he said.
"Harvey, the boss went to see him, I went to see him a couple of times and he's got his uncle Jimmy (Dunne) looking after him.
"But he's got great quality, really good quality. First and foremost, he's in because he can help the team.
"And Bosun, I know Bosun from working with him with the 21s a little bit. The quality he has is fantastic and hopefully he can help the team as well."
The highs of Budapest were four months ago. But does he feel that the team can carry that momentum into Prague?
"Without a doubt, but you have to reinforce that again straight away," he said.
"The boss had a meeting this morning with the boys and obviously we'll reinforce that from the training sessions and the video meetings we'll have over the next couple of days to transport themselves back to that moment in Hungary.
"But then fast-forward and we're arriving in Prague and what's ahead of us; tough opposition, but one we can have success against."
Watch Czech Republic v Republic of Ireland on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player from 7pm on Thursday, 26 March. Follow our live blog on RTÉ.ie/sport and RTÉ News app or listen to commentary on RTÉ Radio 1.
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