As a Welshman, Robbie Savage had plenty to pleased about coming to Dublin today after results from last night's FIFA World Cup qualifiers put Wales ahead of Ireland in the group with two games to go.
Serbia look like they are going to top the group which leaves Ireland and Wales fighting for the same playoff spot - which could even be in vain for both nations if results in other groups go against the sides in Group D.
BT Sport pundit Savage was chatting to our own Nathan Murphy at the launch of the eir Sport Pack and he touched on the criticism being aimed at Ireland boss and his own former Leicester City manager Martin O'Neill.
"Martin O'Neill always responds. I played for him - fantastic man-manager, has a good team around him and I'm sure him and Roy Keane would have assessed training, assessed everything, assessed who they're playing and picked the best team for that game and the best formation," said Savage of Ireland's disappointing 1-1 draw with Georgia last Saturday.
"I find it quite difficult sometimes to criticise managers when I've never been in that situation. They work with that team all week, whether it's Martin, Steve Walford, Steve Guppy or Roy Keane.
Pictured at the eir Sport pack season launch was BT Sport football analyst Robbie Savage alongside eir Sport soccer analysts Shay Given, Keith Andrews, Karen Duggan and Kenny Cunningham. eir Sport today announced an exciting line up of live content for the new season on the eir Sport Pack. The UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Europa League, the Premier League, rugby’s European Champions Cup, the AIB Club Championships and the Allianz Leagues will all form part of a bumper season ahead ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy
"So pundits are there to criticise or to encourage, or to say, 'well done' but sometimes I'm finding it hard that the criticism Ireland got going to Georgia, could have won the game, didn't play well but got fantastic opportunities and didn't take them. In the end, that could be a good point.
"Against Serbia they could have won the game. They should have had a penalty, no question about that."
Savage also had something to say about the emphasis placed on Wes Hoolahan by pundits.
"I haven't played against him that much. I think I played against him once or twice in the Championship, but what is he, 35 and hasn't started every game for Norwich in the Championship yet. I'm hearing this reliance on Wes Hoolahan, no disrespect to him. It's not a Gareth Bale or a Marcus Rashford. It's Wes Hoolahan, who's had a great career but I feel a bit sorry for him. All this pressure seems to be put on him and he doesn't start regularly in the Championship," he said.
And he also questioned how many Irish players would make it into the current Wales team, acknowledging that injury aside Seamus Coleman would get in among three "possibles" who could make the cut.
If you found the Serbia match frustrating, so did @kdkilbane77 as we - and our transmission - briefly found out... #OTB #IRESER #COYBIG pic.twitter.com/GaVDPqApCB
— Off The Ball (@offtheball) September 6, 2017
Pictured is BT Sport football analyst Robbie Savage, who was appearing to promote the BT Sport line-up on the eir Sport Pack, at eir Group HQ. eir Sport today announced an exciting line up of live content for the new season on the eir Sport Pack. The UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Europa League, the Premier League, rugby’s European Champions Cup, the AIB Club Championships and the Allianz Leagues will all form part of a bumper season ahead.
