The change in manager will not alter the challenge Nottingham Forest pose for Dundee when the two teams meet in a pre-season friendly this evening.
And midfielder Shaun Byrne has joked former Reds boss Martin O’Neill must have been “scared” of facing the Scottish outfit.
O’Neill was axed from his role at the City Ground on Friday, immediately being replaced by former Rennes and Ivory Coast chief Sabri Lamouchi.
The latter will take charge of his first game today, when Forest meet Dundee at the Pinatar Arena in Murcia (5.30pm KO) – and Byrne is expecting a tough test against Lamouchi’s men.
“I think they must have been scared at the thought of playing against Dundee,” the Scot grinned, when asked about the Reds’ managerial situation by The Courier.
“Seriously, though, you know you are going to be up against some quality when you play a club like Nottingham Forest, but we are in Spain to challenge ourselves.
“It is all about preparing for the season ahead and if that includes facing some very good Forest players, then all the better as far as I am concerned.
“Listen, it will be a tough game to play in but I look on it as an opportunity for our players to show that they are pretty good as well.
“To be given a chance like this to test yourself against that calibre of opposition is ideal as far as I am concerned, and I am sure the other lads feel the same.
“You know they are going to be of a certain standard just because they play at a massive club like that, that obviously has a wonderful history.
“You also know the kind of money they will be paying in wages to their players, so it will be good for our lads to see how we match up against them.
“Facing a quality English side in Spain is certainly something different to what we are used to.”
Forest beat Alfreton Town 2-1 on Saturday in their first pre-season friendly, with goals from Brennan Johnson and Karim Ansarifard.
Lamouchi watched from the stands on that occasion, having been appointed 24 hours earlier, while Under-23s duo Jimmy Gilligan and Chris Cohen took the reins.
Lamouchi has since put his squad through their paces for the first time as they flew to Spain for a training camp on Sunday.
The Reds were also due to play Peterborough United while on the trip, but that match – which was scheduled for Saturday – has been cancelled.
