O\'Neill: "We need to be at our best"
2015-06-13 11:07:00 from:SNTVIntro:
Northern Ireland on Euro 2016 Group F clash versus Romania.
Script:
SOUNDBITE: (English) Northern Ireland coach Michael O'Neill
"We had a training camp last week with two games and a short break of four days and then a six-day training camp for this game so the players are very focused and the preparation has been excellent."
SOUNDBITE: (English) Northern Ireland captain Steven Davis
"We know from having watched them against other teams in the group and also having played against them it's going to be a difficult game for us so we need to be at our best to get something from the game."
Q: Romania is favourite to win from this group?
A: "Yes, obviously I think so going by the rankings. They're ranked 12th in the world so it's going to be a tough game but we're confident that, at home, we can get a good result and obviously take a step in the right direction in terms of qualification for ourselves."
SOUNDBITE: (English) Northern Ireland coach Michael O'Neill (about Romania's injury problems)
"I've heard of their problems. I hope they're true and that (Lucian) Sanmarteanhas an injury problem, also (Razvan) Rat injury problem but we will see until tomorrow but I expect Romania to be at full strength."
Q: Maybe you send (Northern Ireland goalkeeper) Roy Carroll in Serbia a healer?
A: "I don't think we will need that, thankfully, but I also know the likes of Sanmartean has not played for his club since 27th of April so it's a long time not to play and come in but he's an excellent player with obviously the threat that he brings."
SOUNDBITE: (English) Northern Ireland captain Steven Davis
"Yes well I think, obviously, the national team, they're not a team with so many big names but they're a strong team together and they have a lot of strengths. Obviously I have experience of meeting them before when I was at Glasgow Rangers so if they're good players it's going to be a good test for us tomorrow evening."
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