Ireland's preparation for the World Cup starts now and Jake O’Brien insists this team can deliver on their American dream.
The Boys in Green are in camp preparing for Friday’s friendly with Senegal at Aviva Stadium and Tuesday’s game away to Luxembourg.
This is Heimir Hallgrimsson’s last chance to fine tune before the World Cup qualifying campaign - against Portugal, Hungary and Armenia - kicks off in September.
Hallgrimsson’s contract expires at the end of the qualifiers but the Icelander is convinced Ireland can qualify for the 2026 finals in America, Canada and Mexico.
And he wants his players to talk about it openly too, adamant they can feed off his belief that fortunes might finally turn for this group of players.
And Everton ace O’Brien - who only made his competitive debut against Bulgaria in March - is buying into Hallgrimsson’s American vision.
Jake O'Brien celebrates with Jesper Lindstrom (Image: DARREN STAPLES/AFP via Getty Images)
“We go into every game confident we can win and we have a good enough squad and staff to qualify for the World Cup,” said the Cork man last night.
“It would be great for the country if we can do that. We’re more than good enough to do so. We all feel we’re good enough to be at the World Cup.
“Senegal are a different type of opposition to what we are used to, but it's important we play different opposition and know that we’re more than good enough.”
Everton and Ireland fans are seeing that O’Brien, 24, is more than good enough too, having made impressive strides in the second half of the season.
Signed for the Toffees last summer from French giants Lyon, the big centre-back struggled to catch a break under former Everton manager Sean Dyche.
He only made three appearances up to the New Year and just one was in the league - but his fortunes changed completely when Moyes returned in January.
With Seamus Coleman sidelined for so long, O’Brien also deputised at right-back and the former Cork City defender never looked out of place.
Ireland's Jake O'Brien
Ireland's Jake O'Brien (Image: ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne)
“Six months back I was in a different place, I wasn't where I thought I'd be when I came to Everton,” he said yesterday.
“I worked hard every day in training but it happens in football, sometimes managers favour you and others don't, a lot can happen in six months.
“But when David Moyes came in, he knew the club really well and got to know the players really well and what works for the team.
“He didn’t come in and try to change too much all of a sudden. He was very open-minded and I’m grateful that he’s given me a chance.”
O’Brien is also hoping that Everton and Ireland keep Coleman involved around the respective teams, going into a new Premier League season, and a World Cup bid.
Coleman, 36, pulled out of this particular Irish squad with an injury and is out-of-contract at Everton, but Moyes has already said that he wants to keep him on.
O’Brien added: “He's a huge part of Everton. He's highly respected but what he's going to do next July, I don't know. If he wants to be a coach or a player, I think it's important we keep him at the club because he's at the heart of everything.”
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