Vertongen wary of physical threat from Ireland

Belgium defender Jan Vertongen is expecting a physical encounter when his side takes on Republic of Ireland in their Euro 2016 encounter in Bordeaux next month.

The Spurs man admits that he would have preferred it had Martin O’Neill’s men not been drawn in the same group as Belgium.

Vertongen is fully aware of the challenge that Ireland are likely to present in their Group E clash, having regularly tussled with the likes of Shane Long and Jon Walters in the Premier League.

“I’ve had some very hard games against both of them, both very strong and good players,” he said. “It’s another tough side. We have to be on top of our game every single time. So many of them play in the Premier League and I see them as a very strong team.”

Vertongen feels that Ireland’s physical presence in something of a rarity in international football. While he has promised that Belgium will be more than willing to fight fire with fire in that regard, he conceded that he would have preferred to avoid the Irish in France.

“They are, physically, one of the stronger teams,” Vertonghen told the Sunday Independent. “But we have some physical strength too, so we will compete with them.”

“I wish they were not in our group!” Belgium and Republic of Ireland meet on June 18, the second group stage game for both nations.

The Red Devils open their Euro 2016 campaign against Italy in Lyon on June 13. After squaring off against Ireland in Bordeaux, Marc Wilmots’ team complete their Group E journey against Sweden in Nice on June 22. Belgium are 2.00 to win Group E, while Ireland are 2.20 to qualify for the last-16.