MARTIN O’Neill believes that Ireland have been handed “the toughest group” for Euro 2016 qualification, but is looking forward to the challenge of facing Scotland.
Ireland were selected in Group D at the UEFA Euro 2016 draw at the Palais des Congrès Acroprolis in Nice on Sunday, and will face Scotland, Germany, Poland, Georgia and UEFA’s newest member Gibraltar.
The Ireland manager said: "I think it's the toughest group but it's an exciting one.
“We have got Scotland, we have Poland who we have played in a recent friendly and whose recent efforts (against England) at Wembley were not too bad at all.”
The draw means that O’Neill will face Scotland boss Gordon Strachan – fellow ex-Celtic manager – when Ireland take on Scotland in both ties.
"They will be great occasions I hope,” O’Neill added.
"I'm sure he (Strachan) is looking forward to it. I'm sure he'll be as excited as I am myself. It's tough, there are other groups we might have preferred to be in but we'll get on with it.
“Let us go positively into the group. Taking aside Germany, who are the outstanding side, let's go for it."
Strachan labelled the draw "terrific,” and said, “it will be tough for everyone involved in the group.”
In reference to the Scotland and Ireland ties he added: “I think the two sets of supporters will turn those games into a cup tie.”
Germany are the favourites to win the group but head coach Joachim Low believes that both the Ireland and Scotland will be tough.
He said: "Martin O'Neill has been a top manager for a long time and his team will be a challenge too."
Ireland begin their campaign against Georgia on Sunday 7 September at 5pm.
Republic of Ireland fixtures (all times GMT/BST):
Sunday Septemer 7, 2014, 17.00: Georgia v Republic of Ireland
Saturday October 11, 2014, 17.00: Republic of Ireland v Gibraltar
Tuesday October 14, 2014, 19.45: Germany v Republic of Ireland
Friday November 14, 2014, 19.45: Scotland v Republic of Ireland
Sunday, March 29, 2015, 17.00: Republic of Ireland v Poland
Saturday, June 13, 2015, 17.00: Republic of Ireland v Scotland
Friday, September 4, 2015, 19.45: Gilbraltar v Republic of Ireland
Monday, September 7, 2015, 19.45: Republic of Ireland v Georgia
Thursday, October 8, 2015, 19.45: Republic of Ireland v Germany
Sunday, October 11, 2015, 19.45: Poland v Republic of Ireland
