Striker Simon Cox is predicting a bright future for Republic of Ireland

Simon Cox is hoping there will be 'exciting times ahead' for Republic of Ireland after seeing a new generation of players come through.

Hungry

He added: "You saw how well Seamus played again. He could end up making that right-back spot his own. "We have bedded in a few new players, young players, hungry players into our squad. Hopefully there are exciting times ahead." The defeat by the Greeks, who are ranked some 24 places above Ireland, brought an end to an at times turbulent year which saw Trapattoni's future thrown into question by last month's disastrous 6-1 World Cup qualifier hammering by Germany in the wake of a disappointing showing at Euro 2012. Cox admits he will look back on the last 12 months with mixed emotions, but is also anticipating a return to international action in the new year, when the Republic will face Poland in a February friendly before their potentially crucial qualifiers against Sweden and Austria the following month. The striker said: "We got into the Euros, which was disappointing to be honest, but now we have started a new campaign. "It wasn't to be and we didn't finish on a high, but we have got a group of players who are hoping to push on. "We are a tight-knit group and we are a confident bunch of players. We hope to get a good 2013 under way, starting with the Poland friendly."