Republic of Ireland captain Seamus Coleman hopes to tap into the emotional side of facing England, but insists he will tackle Saturday’s much-anticipated Nations League meeting with a “smart head”.
While the veteran Irish skipper, 35, has faced England before in two friendlies, he is expected to lead his side out against the Three Lions for the first time in a competitive setting this weekend.
Coleman missed the Republic of Ireland’s 3-0 friendly defeat by England at Wembley in 2020 having featured in the 1-1 draw at the same venue in 2013 and scoreless stalemate in Dublin two years later.
“You can most certainly tap into the emotional side of it but I think that goes with, to be honest, any time you put on that green jersey for Ireland,” said Coleman, who is in line to win his 73rd cap.
“As much as it is about this historic game and England our rivals coming over, for us lads we’re representing our country. Unbelievably proud to do so as well.
“We can tap into the emotional side as well, whether that’s England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland because you’re playing for your country. Hopefully we can do that in a positive way tomorrow, but it can’t just be gung-ho emotion, you have to have a smart head as well for sure.”
Having made his debut in February 2011, Coleman is the Republic of Ireland’s longest-serving player.
With Heimir Hallgrimsson installed as boss, Coleman is also set to feature under his fifth manager at international level having featured in the reigns of Giovanni Trapattoni, Martin O’Neill, Mick McCarthy and Stephen Kenny.
Coleman is one of only two Republic of Ireland players to have played at a tournament, too, with both he and Robbie Brady part of the country’s Euro 2016 squad.
And he insists the team’s crop of younger players must aspire to reach the finals of a tournament, with the country’s last World Cup appearance coming back in 2002.
“That’s the ultimate goal as an international player,” said Coleman, who has been Republic of Ireland’s captain since 2016.
“It’s all well and good gathering caps but when all is said and done and you have your feet up when you’re retired, you’ll look back at the memories of France in 2016.
“That’s where this group now, the younger lads, should be aspiring to get to, the major tournaments, because that’s why you do it and that’s where we want to be.”
He added: “We need to understand why we’re here. It’s not to pick up caps, it’s to make the country proud and the fans are crying out for tournaments.
“When you’re sitting at home and you’re watching them in the summer, you want to be there and the fans deserve to be there.
“Maybe we have to toughen up our mindset and make sure that qualifying is at the forefront.”