Croatia manager Slaven Bilic has insisted that he will not underestimate the Republic of Ireland at Euro 2012.
The pair have been drawn together in Group C, which pundits have dubbed as the 'group of death' because it also includes international footballing giants Spain and Italy.
Ireland, who are 18th in the FIFA world rankings, are the lowest-ranked nation in the group but Bilic is wary of the dangers that Giovanni Trapattoni's team possess.
He told Irish reporters: "I have big respect for your team. I played against your team last summer.
"It's an unbelievably competitive team. They are very solid, they play very simple football, they don't take a lot of risks.
"But they are still dangerous enough with some really good forwards - two strikers and two wide men who are very quick. One on one, they can decide a game."
Croatia face Ireland in Poznan this Sunday.
Robert Summerscales
