Ogbene: Ireland stronger after 'us against the world' Israel tests

Chiedozie Ogbene believes the team are a stronger unit after last autumn's contentious Nations League double-header against Israel. The Boys in Green beat the Israelis 3-0 in Debrecen, and then drew 1-1 in their 'home' rematch which was played on neutral soil in Serbia. The games were tense and testing, with alleged monkey chants aimed at Adam Idah in the first half of the Debrecen clash and Ireland head of athletic performance Damien Doyle alleging he was spat at during the second meeting.

"I think it's made us stronger if anything," Ogbene said. "It was a difficult position for us to be in but it was us against the world so we all stayed together. That feeling going into this camp, I think we're all a lot closer than we were before."

In between the two Israel games, Ireland blew a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Austria, who welcome back RB Leipzig playmaker Christoph Baumgartner for Saturday's showdown in Linz. Ogbene remains optimistic they can cause Ralf Rangnick's side problems. "We have good big belief that we can get results," he added. "Obviously 2-0 up against Austria, we let it go by, but I think going to Austria, from my feeling… we're confident we're going to be able to get the result."

Seamus Coleman had a runout with the players on Tuesday, beginning his hybrid role as a fringe squad member and support figure among the coaching staff. The 38-year-old has been without a club since leaving Everton at the end of last season but he hasn't hung up his boots yet. Ogbene described Coleman as "a natural-born leader" and said, "He's someone that I would go to war with. I'd run through a brick wall for Seamus and I'm sure a lot of the players will say the same."