Roy Keane insists the Republic of Ireland have nothing to fear as they prepare to finally launch the Martin O'Neill era in earnest.

After 10 months of dress rehearsals, in which O'Neill's team have lined up in friendlies against Latvia, Poland, Serbia, Turkey, Italy, Costa Rica, Portugal and Oman with varying degrees of success, they will open their Euro 20126 campaign on Sunday against Georgia in Tbilisi.

"Everyone seems frightened to death, particularly the media," said the assistant manager. "There's a lot of negativity, but from the players point of view and from the manager and the staff, we have got a top, top manager and we will be ready. I don't know what you are worried about."