Martin O’Neill has urged his Republic of Ireland players to take lessons from a difficult night in Paris as World Cup-bound France showed them exactly how far they have to go.
Only four of the men who started against Didier Deschamps’ men at the Euro 2016 finals did so at the Stade de France, and a side shorn of many of its bigger names was taught a lesson by a team O’Neill believes can go all the way in Russia.
However, the Republic boss was happy to see some of his fledgling internationals, including Shamrock Rovers striker Graham Burke, who won his first cap as a second-half substitute, get a taste of what is required in a 2-0 defeat.