Euro 2012: Tardelli to repeat famous celebration if Ireland score
Last updated on .From the section Euro 2012
Assistant boss Marco Tardelli has joked that he will recreate his famous 1982 World Cup final goal celebration if the Republic of Ireland score at Euro 2012.
His emotional 'Tardelli cry' after he scored for Italy is one of the most famous celebrations in world football.
The Republic scored only 15 goals in 10 Euro 2012 qualifiers and are in a tough group with Spain, Italy and Croatia.
"I just hope somebody scores a goal - if we do, then I will make the same celebration," Tardelli told BBC Sport.
Tardelli embarked on a mazy, crazy and tearful run after scoring Italy's second goal in their 3-1 victory over West Germany.
"I was crazy," he laughed. "Sometimes when I watch it I think that maybe it was my brother and not actually me.
"But it was something I dreamed about as a kid, and my celebration was a release after realising that dream.
"People often ask me to repeat it, but I was born with that scream inside me, that was the moment it came out."
Tardelli, 57, has been Republic boss Giovanni Trapattoni's right-hand man since 2008 and together they have guided their side to a 14-game unbeaten run.
He is able to smile at the criticism the Irish get for their lack of goals under Trapattoni - they scored only 27 in 20 qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012, but he is deadly serious when he talks about their prospects of reaching the quarter-finals.
"We are a strong side and a fit side, and we are confident. I have high expectations because I know my players.
"If our players are not injured and we have our strongest XI then I think it is possible to take on the other teams. We believe we can make the last eight."
