Playmaker Christian Eriksen will have no troubles getting focused for Denmark’s Euro 2020 qualifier against Republic of Ireland, according to boss Age Hareide.

Eriksen was part of the Tottenham side defeated by Liverpool last weekend in the Champions League final in Madrid. That gut-wrenching loss has been followed by rumours of a move to Real Madrid after Eriksen fuelled speculation about his future by suggests he was eager for a ‘new challenge’ in his career.

Hareide insists none of that will be a distraction as Eriksen attempts to help the Danes to victory in Copenhagen on Friday evening.

They drew their first game 3-3 with Switzerland, ensuring the home side are under pressure to defeat an Irish side that has collected six points from games against Gibraltar and Georgia so far.

“I think the best way to recover is to have a good game,” said Hareide when asked Eriksen would deal with losing the Champions League final. “If you have a good game after a disappointment you tend to get over it in a quicker way, so I think that is important for him.”

The speculation surrounding Eriksen’s possible move away from Spurs this summer is not something that comes up for discussion with the national team coach, and Hareide is happy with that stance.

“I don’t speak to the players about their club situations. We have a good relationship with the players and it would be a mix-up if I try to talk about that,” he added.

“I have to concentrate on the national team. Christian loves to play football and I think his focus is on that. He also loves to play for Denmark and that is the main thing for me.”

Denmark are 1.60 favourites to beat Ireland, with Mick McCarthy’s team 6.50 and the draw 3.50.