England boss Gareth Southgate would love a Euro 2020 finals date in Dublin and roared: “Get the Guinness on.”
But he took a veiled swipe at Roy Keane over recent criticism of former Irish international Declan Rice who is now a Three Lions regular.
World Cup semi-finalists England will play their Last 16 match at Aviva Stadium on June 30 if they top their group next summer.
They would play the team that finishes second in the Group of Death - France, Germany, holders Portugal or one of the playoff teams.
Tens of thousands of English fans would hit the streets of Dublin, sparking an unprecedented security operation in the capital.
But England boss Southgate insists it would be an occasion to relish and said: “We always love coming to Dublin. Get the Guinness on!
“We would love to be there. We just have to get the results to make sure we get there.”
Should Ireland qualify for the tournament, there is a scenario that would see the Boys in Green play England in the Last 16 in Copenhagen.
For that to happen, both Ireland and England would have to finish second in their respective groups.
While FAI president Donal Conway appreciates that security would be off the charts if England land in Dublin next summer, he would embrace it.
Conway said: “All of that is such an occasion and an opportunity to promote our game That's going to be something extraordinary.
“If you have England and the numbers that are going to be around Dublin, I know the Ernst and Young impact study estimate €110 million worth for the city of Dublin.
“It will be at least that if you get fixtures of the types you are talking about.”
Meanwhile, Southgate has leapt to Rice’s defence amid criticism of the West Ham midfielder.
Roy Keane - who was Ireland assistant when Rice made his three senior appearances for Ireland before defecting - slaughtered the 20-year-old on TV a fortnight ago.
Asked where Rice could improve, pundit Keane said: “Where do you want me to start?
“His positional play, I don't think he's been consistent enough, he doesn't stay with runners, he's sloppy in possession, I could go on.”
But Southgate hit back and said: "Declan is a character whom we love working with.
"He's obviously a good player and It's fascinating to see in the last few months how some people have become critical of him.
"If he was not a good player then they would not be worried about him. We’re really pleased with the way that he’s maturing.
“He’s still such a young player and we’ve given him a lot of responsibility in some big matches and we’re really pleased with the way he’s developing."
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