Gavin Bazunu can’t wait to get stuck into France and the Netherlands next year in Euro 2024 qualification.
The Boys in Green were handed one of the toughest draws going last month when they were placed in Group B with the World Cup-bound pair.
However, Southampton goalkeeper Bazunu reckons it could turn out to be the best thing to happen to Stephen Kenny’s side.
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Asked for his initial reaction when the draw was made, the 20-year-old replied: “Excitement. I want to play against the best in the world.
“I want to challenge myself against the best, so to see the two quality nations was exciting.”
Ireland will kick off their campaign next March at home to defending world champions France, before games in June away to Greece and at home to Gibraltar.
And they finish up in November with a visit to the Netherlands.
This week’s friendlies at home to Norway on Thursday and away to Malta next Sunday are the last opportunities to fine tune the side before qualification begins.
Bazunu said: “For me it’s the confidence of the anticipation of facing these (top) players and knowing that if these guys are the best in the world, they are the best to compare yourself against.
“If there had been an easier draw sometimes that can add even more pressure. To be up against the best is where we all want to be.”
He added that Ireland could take confidence from performances in the World Cup qualifiers against Portugal and Serbia.
Against both sides, Kenny’s men lost narrowly away from home and drew in Dublin.
“In those games we performed really well,” Bazunu said.
“We showed in those games we showed how good we can be as a team and I think it’s time we strung more performances like that together.”
The young net-minder will keep a close eye on French and Dutch fortunes at the World Cup, which kicks off next weekend.
“Now that we know we have been drawn in the same group as them, it would be important to have a look at them, see the way they play and really analyse their players,” he said.
“They are all top-quality players, you watch them every week at the levels they are at anyway.”
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