Balancing act for confident Ireland amidst Hampden hype

Josh Cullen believes that Ireland will have to get the balance just right going into the much-hyped UEFA Nations League clash with Scotland on Saturday.

Games between the two sides have generally descended into a derby-style encounter of Celtic cousins, and the recent game in Dublin will certainly have added fuel to the fire that is expected to be burning white hot at Hampden Park.

Ireland, of course, put the Scots to the sword in the reverse fixture in June, which added to the woes of the travelling Tartan Army, who were already attempting to digest their World Cup exit just days previously.

Steve Clarke's side bounded into the current international window full of confidence following a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Ukraine at Hampden on Wednesday night, and now the players appear to have revenge on their mind as they whetted their appetite and that of their kilt-clad supporters as Ireland arrive in Glasgow on Saturday night.

The Ireland camp, however, have been busy going about their own business, enjoying a full week of preparation ahead of the game, and as if to emphasise the fact that they are the masters of their own destiny, there was no big deal made of the Scotland versus Ukraine clash in the team hotel.

No group viewing of the game, but rather the players watched it individually, while the manager had a chat to the team about it on Thursday morning, and Cullen was quick to point out that the match, just like the game during the summer, counts for little ahead of kick-off on Saturday.

"It was a good result from them," said Cullen, speaking at Thursday’s press conference.

"Their performance was obviously full of energy and it was a good win, but Saturday is a new day and we have to be confident and full of belief that