McCarthy warns of complacency

McCarthy: We must turn our attention to summer finals

Mick McCarthy warned his Republic of Ireland side that they must forget about their glorious World Cup qualifying campaign.

Instead, he says, they must concentrate on the next summer's finals.

After been handed a relatively straightforward draw in Group E, the last thing McCarthy wants is a bout of complacency.

The Republic are alongside seeds Germany, Cameroon and Saudi Arabia in group E.

We saw in their play-off how good Germany actually are

Mick McCarthy

But while the Republic may have dumped Holland out of the World Cup, McCarthy is certain that Germany's 5-1 defeat by England was a blip.

"The qualification was extremely difficult, and we had a wonderful qualifying campaign, but that's finished," said McCarthy.

"We have to put that put of our minds start again as from now.

"We saw in their play-off how good Germany actually are.

''So England gave them a good hiding, but that doesn't happen to them often and at some stage we all get a hiding off somebody.

"For them to then go and beat Ukraine the way they did in the play-off was impressive."

There was more good news for the Irish with the fact that they will be based in Japan for the group phase in next summer's finals.

That allows them to take advantage of their preferred base in Izumo.

"I think our preparations were slanted towards Japan so I'm pleased about that too," said McCarthy.

The rewards of finishing top of their group are obvious - a game against the runners-up in Group B, rather than the winners.

Now we have six months to find out more about them all

Mick McCarthy

"It perhaps suits us to play a team like Germany as a seed, as they are more our style of play rather than Spain or Italy.

"But they are all good teams in the group.

"Cameroon are unpredictable.

''On any given day you are going to get absolute brilliance, and on another while not the complete opposite a different performance from them.

"World Cups have inspired them in the past. They are colourful and they will have that trickery.

"I've watched the Saudis too against Iran and I have video tapes of other games at home. Now we have six months to find out more about them all."