![\"\"](\"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/2.36786783.jpg\")
Martin O\u2019Neill will use the Nations League to blood a new wave of Republic of Ireland internationals in competitive football.<\/p>\nMartin O\u2019Neill will use the Nations League to blood a new wave of Republic of Ireland internationals in competitive football.<\/p>\n
The Republic launch their campaign in Wales on Thursday evening shorn of the likes of Robbie Brady, James McCarthy and Shane Long through injury, Harry Arter after a training ground showdown with assistant manager Roy Keane and emerging star Declan Rice as he considers England\u2019s overtures.<\/p>\n
With stalwart John O\u2019Shea having retired from international football and recent additions Scott Hogan and Sean Maguire also injured, O\u2019Neill is having to cast the net ever wider and is aware there will be a greater than usual lack of experience among his squad in Cardiff, where his side won in October last year to book a World Cup play-off spot.<\/p>\n
Asked if that kind of night represented the benchmark for his team, O’Neill said: \u201cIt would be nice to say that, but some of the lads involved on Thursday night won\u2019t have had that experience.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is looking for them to really step up, whatever they are doing or not doing at club level, if they are selected on Thursday night.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey have 90 minutes in front of them, which some of them might not have experienced before and it will be a tough ask.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut that is where you come in. It is a matter of raising players to play this international game, which is totally different to a match at Championship level, perhaps even when they haven\u2019t been involved for the full 90 minutes on the previous Saturday.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut that is my job.\u201d<\/p>\n
The win over Wales handed the Boys in Green a showdown with Denmark, whose 5-1 second-leg victory at the Aviva Stadium sent them, rather than O\u2019Neill\u2019s men to Russia, and the three sides find themselves pitched into battle once again in UEFA\u2019s new competition.<\/p>\n
That defeat by the Danes was Ireland\u2019s last competitive game, but the manager insists that will not be on their minds as they set out on their latest adventure.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cThe whole point is that we are starting afresh again, and we are going for it, and the irony of it is that we are in against Denmark, who beat us, and Wales, who we beat.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo Wales might turn around and think that they have a point to prove against us, but if that is a motivation in itself, then I haven\u2019t a problem with it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Chris Coleman was in charge of the Welsh the night James McClean\u2019s lone strike ended their World Cup dream, but he has since been replaced by Ryan Giggs, a man for whom O\u2019Neill\u2019s assistant Keane retains immense affection and respect from their hugely successful time together at Manchester United.<\/p>\n
The manager said: \u201cObviously, international football at this moment is new for Ryan, I\u2019m sure he\u2019ll get the hang of it. I\u2019m sure he is looking forward to it, just like myself and Roy.\u201d<\/p>\n