Mick McCarthy claims he has no worries about taking the Republic of Ireland to Iran for their World Cup play-off on November 15th.
McCarthy was in Abu Dhabi yesterday to watch Iran beat the United Arab Emirates 3-0 in the second leg of their Asian zone qualifying play-off to earn a 4-0 aggregate win.
The result means McCarthy's side will face Iran in Dublin on November 10th and Tehran five days later in a bid to book their place at next year's finals in Japan and South Korea.
And despite current US air strikes against neighbouring Afghanistan, McCarthy insists no-one in the Irish party should be concerned over being caught up in any trouble.
"I was there for the first game against the UAE last week and we were treated with great respect and friendliness and given a very warm welcome," McCarthy told BBC1 this morning.
"I am sure that the team is going to get a hot reception, but that is the same wherever you go.
"In terms of being welcomed, we have no problems and we did not see any trouble. There were no ill feelings towards us and any troubles that are happening are five or six hundred miles away.
"I have been out there. We went round to look at hotels, grounds and pitches, to meet people and their FA.
"I would not ask any player to do anything I wouldn't do and there is not a problem.
"The only problem we have got is beating Iran - they are pretty good."
PA