Gavin Bazunu stresses importance of window as Ireland look ahead to 2023

"Two wins," is Gavin Bazunu's blunt answer when he's asked what would make a good international break for the Republic of Ireland.

Two friendlies over a four-day period for the Boys in Green, with Norway in Dublin on Thursday, before a trip to play Malta on Sunday.

The latter game of the two will take place after the opening fixture of the 2022 World Cup, and it's a stark reminder of where Ireland are, and where they need to be.

And the draw for the next European Championships last month threw up France and The Netherlands, as close to the toughest draw they could have been handed. The top two teams in the group will qualify automatically for Germany.

After an average campaign in the Nations League, which saw the team manage just two wins from their six games, a play-off place is harder to reach with Ireland depending on other teams ranked ahead of them qualifying automatically so that one of the four designated play-off places for League B countries might become available.

Undoubtedly 2023 could be the year which defines Stephen Kenny's time in charge of the national team as the patience from supporters is tested with Euros qualifitcation on the line.

That's not what's on Bazunu's mind when speaking to the press today, and he says he's looking forward to taking on two of the giants of the European game.

"Excitement," was his initial reaction to the draw, he says.

"I want to play against the best in the world, and challenge myself against the best. So to see the top quality nations that came out in the draw is exciting for me.

"If it had have been an easier draw, sometimes that can add more pressure. To be up against the best is where we all want to be.

"Now that we know that we've been drawn in the same group as them, it'll be