James McClean believes Ireland will be prizefighters under Stephen Kenny as they look to floor Ukraine tonight.
And the veteran winger and boxing nut insists the setbacks against Armenia and Ukraine - at home - will only strengthen this team’s resolve.
After thumping Scotland 3-0 on Saturday, the Boys in Green are chasing back-to-back victories for only the second time under Kenny.
McClean said last night: “There’s a lot of ability here, especially with the young lads coming through.
“I feel this team can achieve a lot and they are only going to get better with experience.
“These little setbacks can sometimes be a good thing. It's nice when you're going well and you're getting pats on the back and you're being told you're brilliant.
“But sometimes you need that little reality check and in those two games, we probably expected to win them both and we didn’t.
“It has given lads a little bit of a reality check. We have to earn every win and show up and perform. We did that on Saturday and bounced back pretty well.”
And McClean - set to captain the side tonight - added: “With the ability and character of these young lads, I can see this being a very successful team.”
McClean will be 35 at the next European Championships, but try telling him he won’t be involved if Ireland qualify.
The veteran winger is speeding up rather than slowing down, pulling out all the stops in order to retain his place with Germany looming in 2024.
A keen boxer, McClean last night lifted the lid on his rigorous training regime away from what he does with Wigan and Ireland.
“I love my boxing, so I do a lot of boxing and I enjoy the gym work as well. It’s my release, with whatever pressures or frustrations I have,” he said.
“It’s a way for me to release all that. Boxing is a passion of mine and it goes hand in hand with that and it’s something I enjoy.
“I’d train all day if my wife would let me. Unfortunately, I’ve three kids and she nags me about going to the gym.
“I’m lucky that I’ve a nice gym at home so it’s not like I’ve to leave the house to go to the gym. I don’t know if that’s a good thing or bad thing. It’s right there.
“But It’s stuff I’ve done all through my career. It’s served me well. At this stage, I don’t think there’s any point in changing now.”
And that’s why McClean, 33, has tunnel vision when it comes to prolonging his Ireland career beyond the 94th cap he will win tonight against Ukraine.
Quizzed about toughing it out and making the Euros an ambition, he said: “Yeah look, I feel very fit. My body is in good condition and I look after it.
“I feel fit and as hungry as ever. As long as that is the case I will keep going.”
McClean was sitting alongside Stephen Kenny at yesterday’s pre-match press conference in Lodz, and it was at this juncture that the Ireland boss interjected.
Kenny said: “Just on that, from my point of view, I've known James for a long time, managing him as a young player (at Derry City).
“Even when I took over as manager of the senior team I thought James was losing half a yard. He had a foot injury at the time and it was tough for him.
“I thought James could still be effective, but he was on a decline. But it's incredible and if anything he's gotten quicker over the last year.
“And it's down to this rigorous training regime that he has. To get to the levels he's got to is just phenomenal.
“It's a great example to the young players because the longevity in his career is due to his absolute commitment to his physical condition.
“That's the reason he has a great chance of continuing in his career.”
McClean is tipped to captain the side tonight for the second time, having previously donned the armband in a New Jersey friendly against Mexico on his 50th cap.
But he joked that “Dave the chef will get it before I get it”.
EIther way, he will win his 94th tonight, and is closing in on legendary centurion standard.
The Derry man continued: “I've been very lucky that for ten years now I've been picked for every single squad I've been available for which is something I'm very proud of.
“The 100th cap? Again that depends on a lot of things - form, being picked, injuries etc.
“If it's to happen, it's seven games away and a lot can happen between now and then. So it’s the boring cliche of one game at a time.”
But McClean feels Ireland are going places under Kenny’s watch despite the stop-start nature of the results.
He feels that inconsistency goes with the territory when you consider the level of blooding at play, with 16 players handed competitive debuts by Kenny.
And there could be one more in Darragh Lenihan tonight.
McClean said: “Confidence can be a bit low coming off the back of two defeats, but young lads are resilient. They just look forward to the next game.
“As senior lads, we're here if they need any guidance. But, look, we're resilient enough to keep going. They play with no fear. Outside noise, good or bad, you can't control it.
“That was something I was guilty of earlier in my career, getting caught up in that but as you get older, outside noise, good or bad, can't affect what you do on the pitch.
“When you step over that white line it's on you. We've got a good set of youngsters here who have good character about them, resilience. They'll be alright.
"We were disappointed with the results but Scotland has been a massive lift.
“We’re looking forward to this game and if we win we’re on six points and right back up there in terms of winning the group."
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