Czechia manager Miroslav Koubek says his team will try to eliminate Troy Parrott "in a smart way" when they do battle with the Republic of Ireland in Thursday's World Cup play-off semi-final in Prague.
Parrott has been in excellent form for club and country this season, with the AZ Alkmaar's five goals in two games last November firing Ireland past Portugal and Hungary to book a last-gasp play-off spot.
Speaking at the Czech's pre-match press conference at the Fortuna Arena, Koubek was complimentary of the Dubliner.
"Parrott, he is outstanding, he is doing great, he is very fit. We know how he works, we do have some info, so now it will all be about eliminating him in a smart way. So we will just have to stop him," said Koubek, who was appointed as his country's head coach in December.
Meanwhile, the 74-year-old responded sharply to suggestions that he had previously described the Irish playing style as "primitive".
"I never said anything about that. Maybe you used Google Translate. I never said anything about being primitive," Koubek responded.
"I think there must be some noise. You definitely have some great players. I never said your game style was primitive, (and) please don't put words in my mouth."
The former Viktoria Plzen manager also played down any sense that he would have tactical surprises in store for the visiting Irish side.
"Obviously, we analyse our opponent, their game plan is mature and smart, efficient, they will not let us surprise them, we will try to do so anyway, we will see how it goes," he said of Heimir Hallgrimsson's team.
One issue already confirmed in the lead up to Thursday was that Wolves defender Ladislav Krejci would succeed West Ham's Tomas Soucek as Czech captain.
Soucek had been stripped of the captaincy after the Czech team were criticised for not acknowledging supporters after a 6-0 win over Gibraltar last November.
On speculation that the Hammers midfielder would be dropped from the starting line-up, Koubek replied: "I don't read the newspapers, I don’t know, so you will see tomorrow."
However, he did add: "Tomas Soucek is an outstanding player with a great career, he doesn't have the captain’s armband, for reasons that you all know. But nothing changes, it does not mean he will lose his value. He’s still full-fat player if I can use these words."
Meanwhile, he described Krejci as a "born leader" and an "easy choice" to take on the captaincy.
Sitting alongside his manager, Krejci said: "Like I have said already on Monday, (being captain) is a huge responsiblity for me. I am excited, you all know the context how this came into begin, however this is the reality and we need to face it.
"I have been looking froward to this match for a very long time, we will make it, we will reach our goal, that means we will qualify for the World Cup."
The 26-year-old is on loan at Wolves from Girona and has faced some of the Irish squad at club level during this Premier League season.
"We have watched a lot of clips so I know a little bit of what their game style looks like," he said of the Boys in Green.
"There are some similarities and I do have some experience (of playing against Irish players) so there may be advantage for me.
"But we must make it as a team, we must be determined, motivated and we must fight. We all know what we are fighting for and victory is our goal."
Watch Czechia v Republic of Ireland on Thursday from 7pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow our live blog on RTÉ.ie/sport and RTÉ News app or listen to commentary on Inside Sport on RTÉ Radio 1
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