"I knew they would rather be here than in Dublin and I know they want to spark similar celebrations and pandemonium in Dublin and all across Ireland on Sunday."
McCarthy's fitness problems are improving with only Steve Staunton and Robbie Keane sitting out this afternoon's training session at the Sanggokdong Military Sports Facility.
Both will resume training when the Irish team visit the stadium in Suwon tomorrow morning, but McCarthy will not name his team until just before kick-off against the Spaniards.
And he has told Spanish boss Jose Antonio Camacho to stop saying nice things about him.
"I know the Camacho is talking us up and even talking me up, which is nice," added McCarthy.
"Apparently, he is even saying I was a good centre-half which means his player judgement must be in some doubt.
"Seriously, though, I am not going to say anything negative about Spain because that will only wind them up and I am sure he is the same with us.
"They have a fantastic side and I was being only slightly tongue in cheek when I said I couldn't see a weakness in their team.
"But I also remember Italy gloating about how they were going to hammer us back in 1990.
"They made all sorts of claims a few days before the game, but it was a different story when I looked them in the eye in the tunnel in Rome and there was fear written across every one of their faces.
"Spain are favourites to beat us and that will bring its own problems.
"We will see how they cope with that on Sunday, no matter what nice things they are saying about us right now."
Camacho has indeed been singing Ireland's praises ever since his team beat South Africa on Wednesday night to book their Suwon date with the Republic.
"Ireland are unbeaten against teams like Cameroon and Germany here and the Netherlands and Portugal in qualifying," Camacho said after training this morning.
"They can play at home and away and they know exactly what they're doing.
Maybe it's a bit early to say, but we're talking about one of the best teams there are at the moment.
"They have a lot of skill. The players they have up front aren't there to chase long balls, although the big forward Niall Quinn could come on at the end if needed.
"Their style normally is to play the ball around. They get into position and play as a block, with six or seven players attacking and eight or nine defending.
"They have a lot of physical strength and they can all attack and defend."
Spanish striker Diego Tristan is still a doubt for Sunday's game despite his recovery from ankle and groin problems.
