'Complacency is our enemy', says Gleeson as she targets Euro 2025

Republic of Ireland interim manager Eileen Gleeson insists that her side can't take anything for granted in their Nations League double-header with Albania, two games that she believes are crucial for Ireland’s Euro 2025 hopes.

Gleeson’s side welcome Albania to a sold-out Tallaght Stadium on Friday 27 October before travelling to Shkoder four days later for the return fixture.

Ireland currently sit atop their Nations League Group B table and have their sights firmly fixed on winning the group and with it, promotion to League A.

League A, which gets underway in April 2024, acts as the qualifying series for Euro 2025 in Switzerland with the top two teams from each of the four groups progressing automatically to the tournament.

Gleeson knows that her side are the favourites going into the double header with Albania but warned that Ireland can’t afford any slip-ups.

"The expectation is on to take six points and obviously that’s what we want to do," she said.

"We’re not underestimating anything around Albania and we expect it to be very competitive. It’s up to us to make it happen and that’s really the message that we keep reinforcing.

"The importance of the Nations League in terms of qualification for 2025 is huge. That’s the message that we’re driving home with the players that this is a step forward for qualification for 2025.

"The real message is that complacency is our enemy right now and to underestimate Albania or to just expect that we’re going to get six points. We have to make it happen.

"The girls know that and understand the importance of it, and not just in the immediacy of getting six points but moving forward to the 2025 campaign."

Gleeson has been able to name a strong squad for the games with Albania, with Megan