With the Euros hurtling towards us, Hot Press has gone even more football crazy than usual in our new issue, which hits shelves on Thursday.
Gazing out from the cover is James McClean who in an extensive interview tells us: “We’re confident that we can get out of the group, and once you’re at the knockout stages anything can happen.”
Reflecting on coming up against Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the opener against Sweden, the Derryman proffers: “He’s one of the best players in the world who not too long ago took England apart on his own, but as a footballer that’s where you want to be; on the biggest stage playing against the biggest players. We’ll be wary of Ibrahimovic but not in awe because everyone has their weaknesses.”
Also up for discussion are James McCarthy (“He has a nasty streak – like we all do!”); Robbie Keane (“He has that knack of knowing where the ball’s going to land”); the fact that he’s just one of nine League of Ireland players in the squad (“It’s a great place to start your career”); West Brom changing-room banter (“We ganged up on the Scotish boys. ‘Where are youse going on your holidays?’” and changing formations (“If there’s a need to shake things up during a game, we can do it no problem”).
We also have an in-depth chat with David Meyler who says of Roy Keane: “People forget how great his achievements at Sunderland were. He’s helped me develop as a player; it’s nice to get pointers from someone who’s played in your position.”
Also in the Euro-tastic new issue of Hot Press, TV3 pundits Kevin Kilbane, Keith Andrews and Emma Byrne reflect on the challenges ahead; members of Keywest, The Riptide Movement, The Academic and HamsandwicH give us their fan’s eye views; Team Hot Press talks you through the six groups and the 23 Irish players desperate for glory; Stuart Clark tries to put the misery of being an England fan into words, and we round up the best beers and bars to help you celebrate the footballing festivities ahead!

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