Irish manager Mick McCarthy doesn't believe that Danish playmaker Christian Eriksen's participation in the Champions League final will affect his performance against Ireland six days later.
"Only if somebody clumps him I guess," replied McCarthy at his press conference this afternoon.
The two nations meet again in a Euro 2020 qualifier on Friday, June 7 but Eriksen has an important date before that.
The Tottenham midfielder will be a key man as the Londoners attempt to beat Liverpool in temperatures approaching the mid-thirties at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium.
McCarthy would be more concerned if Eriksen comes away from Madrid with a winners' medal as he has seen first-hand how club success can lift a player's performance levels.
Irish midfielder Josh Cullen was the catalyst for Charlton Athletic in their dramatic English League One Play-Off final victory over Sunderland last Sunday.
The on-loan West Ham United midfielder provided the cross which led to Patrick Bauer’s last-minute winner as the Addicks came from behind to defeat the Black Cats at Wembley.
Mick McCarthy praises Josh Cullen
“I’ve just seen Josh Cullen come in, who has just played a play-off final," said McCarthy.
"He's created the winning goal, he's having a brilliant time and he looks like he is enjoying his football. He was different class today in training."
McCarthy believes that a win for Tottenham on Saturday could give Eriksen a similar boost.
"If Christian Eriksen wins it, and then comes in that frame of mind, then we could be in trouble. If he loses it…he’s just a top player. We have to deal with him whatever happens.
“If he has a disappointment, I doubt very much it will affect him that much against us.
“And if he wins it, he’s a bloody good player anyway so it makes no odds.”
McCarthy revealed that Luca Connell will not be making his international debut after the Bolton teenager was forced to pull out of the Irish squad with a thigh injury.
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