“But, other than that, we have to be happy. We can use Switzerland as motivation after they beat us in the Euro 2004 qualifiers while Israel, Cyprus and the Faroe Islands will present some problems but we should not fear them.

“I am delighted that we’re in a six team group because my biggest fear was we would be in a seven team one.

“It means we can now start the qualifiers in September and we don’t have to use all six double dates.

“France and Switzerland being in Portugal is an advantage and I will go to Euro 2004 to watch both teams.”