Irish aim to block out 'all the noise'

ETHAN Galbraith has called Northern Ireland’s World Cup qualifying playoff semifinal against Italy the biggest game of his career, but the Swansea midfielder is determined to shut out the noise ahead of tomorrow night.

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Ethan Galbraith in action for Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland are two games away from a first World Cup appearance since 1986, but firmly second favourites for a match against the four-time world champions as they prepare to travel to Bergamo.

“I think the magnitude of the game speaks for itself,” Galbraith admitted. “Certainly for me personally, it's the biggest game I’ve been involved in.

“I try to block that out as much as I can, just sort of take it as if it's any other game, even though it’s tough to think like that.

“As footballers, over time you learn you can’t really be too emotional or think about it too much.”