O'Neill is Republic of Ireland football manager

Martin O'Neill has given his first official press conference as Republic of Ireland football manager.

The 61-year-old former Celtic, Leicester City, Aston Villa and Sunderland manager signed a two-year contract to replace Giovanni Trapattoni earlier this week.

Mr O'Neill told a packed news conference at the Gibson Hotel that the Ireland job was an opportunity for him and he welcomes the pressure that comes with the role.

He said: "It's a genuine privilege and pleasure to be here today. It's a privilege being manager of the Republic of Ireland.

He added: "I am genuinely excited by it. I am looking forward to it immensely and just really pleased to be here.

"I obviously have to thank John for choosing me and I hope in the next couple of seasons to try to live up to that." he said.

Mr O'Neill will take charge of the team for the first time this Friday when they play Latvia in a friendly at the Aviva Stadium.

His second game as manager will be against Poland in Poznan the following Tuesday.

The competitive games do not come around until the Autumn when Ireland will begin the qualification campaign for Euro 2016 in France.

Mr O'Neill said he would have liked to get some competitive games before then, but he denied that the extended 24-team European championship brought any extra pressure.

He said: "I wish there were some competitive games coming up more quickly than they are, but that's the nature of the business," he said.

"But I think John has told me that it's my remit to get the team to France. My contract lasts for the duration of the time that the Republic are in the Euros and that is my driving ambition.

"I think there is pressure there of course, but it is something that I have been used to all my life. This is an opportunity here. A fantastic opportunity and it is one I would like to grab. I'm excited by it."

Mr O'Neill joked that he will seek the advice of former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson if assistant manager Roy Keane steps out of line.

Mr Ferguson was severely critical of Keane in his recently published autobiography, particularly in relation to his acrimonious departure from Manchester United in 2005.

Mr O'Neill said: "I think like all of us in the game, he has points to prove.

"I know how brilliant he was and I know how sometimes how polarised opinions can be with Roy, but I don't have a problem with that." He added.

Mr O'Neill said: "If you are asking about over-shadowing, one of the greatest managers in the game finally decided that Roy was no longer wanted because he felt he was going to be over-shadowed.

However, Mr O'Neill was in a serious mode when praising his new assistant and believes the characteristics he displayed as a player and now as a pundit will be a huge asset as they seek to qualify for Euro 2016.

"But all told, I think it he will be great," said Mr O'Neill.

"I think he will be great for me for a start - I would like that - but more importantly, I think he will be brilliant for the Republic of Ireland.

"I am absolutely delighted he is on board. He is an iconic figure, a great, great player, one of the best players to have played in the Premier League since its inception, a great, great player, so I haven't a problem with that there.

Details of the rest of Mr O'Neill's backroom staff are also due to be revealed later today. It was confirmed last night that former international Seamus McDonagh would replace Alan Kelly as goalkeeping coach.

Businessman Denis O'Brien is once again covering a significant part of the salary package for the management team, as he did for Mr Trapattoni and his assistant Marco Tardelli.

Speaking on last night's Late Late Show, FAI Chief Executive John Delaney said the FAI had wanted to hire Martin O'Neill for seven years and that his appointment represented a great week for Irish football.

Mr O'Neill will take charge of the team for the first time this Friday when they play Latvia in a friendly at the Aviva Stadium, with his second game coming against Poland in Poznan the following Tuesday.

The competitive games begin next autumn when Ireland start the qualification campaign for 2016 European Championship, which will be hosted by France and feature a record 24 teams.

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