Boss: Giovanni Trapattoni will decide if McLean will play

That experience has already proved vital in guiding the Republic into the finals, and the assistant manager acknowledges it will be important once the squad arrived in Poland with Ireland not having played on the big stage since the 2002 World Cup finals.

Only Shay Given, Damien Duff and Keane of the current squad tasted action in the Far East, with defender Richard Dunne travelling but not making an appearance.

Tardelli said: 'Experience is very important for the players. We have also new players.

'Giovanni and I, we know the tournament because I was a player and was a coach in it, and Giovanni was a player and a manager in this kind of tournament.

'We will speak with the players.'

However, while Tardelli is relishing what lies ahead, he admits the excitement of preparing for a major tournament as a coach does not compare to that of doing so as a player.

He said: 'No, it's totally different, totally different. I preferred it as a player because I was very young. But it's my job and I like it.'

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