Mick McCarthy appeared positive following the Euro 2020 qualification draw in Dublin on Sunday.
Ireland were drawn in Group D against Switzerland, Denmark, Georgia and Gibraltar. To gasps at the Convention Centre, it momentarily looked as though Ireland had been drawn against Netherlands and Germany in Group C.
However, the computer intervened as a maximum of two Euro 2020 host nations are allowed in each group. As Ireland, like the two sides which were already in Group C, is a host country, they were moved down to Group D.
"They explained before that there were certain things that couldn't happen," McCarthy told RTÉ's Tony O'Donoghue.
I looked at Nuno [Gomes] when he picked it and I looked at Robbie [Keane], and at Ronnie [Whelan]. I knew who it was [Germany and Netherlands].
It was a surprise. I'm not saying our group's easier but Netherlands and Germany would have been a really tough ask. Of course, Michael O'Neill got it - I've just been chatting to him.
Looking through the pots beforehand, McCarthy thought that Georgia - a side Ireland has faced numerous times in qualification campaigns previously - was the toughest possible opponent from the fourth pot.
Azerbaijan were initially drawn in Ireland's group but as they are also a host nation - and Ireland and Denmark were already in the group - Gibraltar were drawn as an alternative.
If we got lucky with missing Azerbaijan, which I guess we did, because we're getting Gibraltar instead. That's an easier one for the fans to go to, certainly. They played in Faro the last time, I believe. That'll be a good venue for us.
Regarding Ireland once again facing Denmark, McCarthy said that is about time that Ireland starting taking point from Christian Eriksen and Co.
"I watched the [Nations League] games then and there were some decent results against them.
"We'll be trying our best to beat all the teams and whatever's gone on with Denmark in the past is in the past. There's nothing I can do about that."
