The Republic of Ireland trained and met the press on Friday (17th June) as they prepared to meet Belgium in Group E in Bordeaux on Saturday.

SOUNDBITE: (English) Martin O' Neil, Republic of Ireland manager

"They (Belgium) are very talented. No question about it, no question. All are playing big club football and they would maybe look at us and feel that some of our players are not playing at the level that they play at every single week. So i would think that they may feel that they have an advantage like that but it doesn't always work out that way. They are - they are really talented and i have said and it is worth repeating that individually they are as talented as any side playing in this competition and if they went on to win the competition it wouldn't be a major surprise to me."

SOUNDBITE: (English) John O' Shea, Republic of Ireland defender

"Look, whatever team we will face tomorrow we'll find out an hour or so beforehand and we will be fully aware of the quality that they have whatever options that they (Belgium) do choose. So we will have to be prepared no matter what. As you said they have a good mix of the physicality and the skill and, as I said, whatever combination that they pick it's a quality combination so it is something we are going to have to be well prepared for."