Liam Brady, assistant manager of the Republic of Ireland senior team has said in an interview for the Irish Times that Saturday's encounter with Bulgaria on Vassil Levski stadium is going to be his team's hardest to date.

"Yeah, this is our hardest game so far because of the situation and the position we have gotten ourselves into in the group," he said, as quoted by the Irish Times on June 5.

This cautious and respectful approach is in stark contrast to the confident, slightly smacking of arrogance statement by Bulgarian national team administrator and former striker Nasko Sirakov who dismissed Ireland as a mediocre side and predicted that Bulgaria would have no problems disposing them on home turf.

Sirakov, the former Levski Sofia legend, said that the Bulgarian side possesses by far superior quality and class, whereas the Irish could only be expected to rely on their physicality on the pitch. "I expect us to win. Nothing else. No two matches are alike, but our players have all the ingredients necessary for success. Let us not get carried away here – Ireland are not exactly a force in football, like France, Italy or Germany," he was quoted as saying by Sportal.bg

"We have always beaten them in Sofia, and I expect the trend to continue," Sirakov told reporters on June 1. "I expect Berbatov, after his disappointment in Rome, to shine and be our best player on the day," he said.

The fact is, if Ireland are not exactly a 'force' in football, well then neither are Bulgaria. The glory days of 1994 are long gone and the current football generation has done little to prove the Bulgarian supporters that a "Second Golden" generation is coming up through the ranks. At least at skin-deep level It appears, that the Irish are taking this game a little more professionally and more seriously than the overflowing with confidence Bulgarians. 

For his part, Brady has said "Bulgaria may not quite be the equals of the World champions, but they know they have to beat us to get back into the group."

The Irish are embarking on Sofia turf with several players nursing injuries, who are reportedly going to be featured, to varying degrees of physical fitness - Shay Given (hip), Robbie Keane (foot), Richard Dunne (knee), Caleb Folan (knee) and Glenn Whelan (calf), are all expected to come out on Vassil Levski.

Bulgaria, meanwhile, is approaching the encounter with all its stars healthy and fit. Manchester City players Martin Petrov and Valeri Bojinov, who missed the match in Dublin, have recovered from their injuries, and so has Dimitar Berbatov. The only doubt in the squad is defensive midfielder Stanislav Angelov, who is likely to be a last-minute decision. "It is a must win game, we are aware of its importance," Bulgarian manager Stanimir Stoilov said.