Ireland interim boss Eileen Gleeson reveals call to prayer wakes ...

EILEEN GLEESON insisted the Girls in Green need no wake-up call about the importance of tomorrow’s game with Albania - though a nearby mosque means they are getting one. 

Ireland are in Shkoder ahead of tomorrow’s UEFA Women’s Nations League clash with Albania - where a win could secure them promotion to League A if results go their way. 

But the hotel chosen for their stay also means some early mornings, with the 5am call to prayer and the nearby mosque waking the players. 

Gleeson said: “We had a nice prayer wakeup. It’s cultural so we’re very respectful. It’s nice for us to hear these new cultural experiences and for the girls also to exposed.

“We’re in their country so we’re super respectful.” 

But Gleeson is confident that her side will need no wake-up call against Albania tomorrow as she insisted there is no complacency after Friday’s 5-1 win over the same opposition in Tallaght.

She added: “We don’t have to do too much to motivate the girls. They’re very motivated, we want to get the win tomorrow we want to have a good performance.

“From the start to the finish to the game. We want to get three points, we want to top the group for the UEFA Nations League, we want to get to the Euro 2025 qualification.

“So it’s not too much that you need to do to drive that message with the girls. We just have to help them to put that into action. 

“It’s the girls on the pitch, it’s their performances and it’s them that’s getting the results and giving people a good spectacle to watch.” 

Ireland are firm favourites to win tomorrow having won all three Nations League games to dare scoring 12 goals and conceding just one goal. 

If the Girls in Green win tomorrow, and Hungary and Northern Ireland ends in a draw, Ireland will be guaranteed to top the group and be promoted to League A. 

And that will be a big boost for Ireland’s Euro 2025 chances as being in League A for the qualifiers guarantees a play-off spot for any team that misses out on automatic qualification. 

Gleeson said that she has a fully fit squad to choose from for the game and Heather Payne and Lucy Quinn - left out of the matchday squad on Friday - may return.