While automatic qualification for Euro 2016 is still within Ireland’s grasp, O’Neill would shake your hand and settle for a playoff place before the first ball is kicked against Germany this evening (7.45pm).
At the same time, Poland travel to Scotland for a game that will have just as much bearing on Ireland’s fate.
If Poland leave Hampden Park with all three points tonight, Ireland will be guaranteed to finish third regardless of results in the final round of matches — unless, of course, they can do the unthinkable and upset the world champions in the Aviva Stadium.
“Sitting here this morning, I’d take my chance in the playoffs if we can get into them,” O’Neill said yesterday. “Who knows what might materialise?
“We’ve got two very, very difficult games coming up.
“We’re playing the world champions: players who are playing Champions League football on a regular basis, players who have won a World Cup, players who have got the experience of going away from home and dealing with any given situation, and they’re improving.
“We’re playing Poland away from home. Two very difficult games.
Does that mean that we just give up? Absolutely not.
Advertisement
This is realism, rather than pessimism. Scotland’s final game looks to be a gimme in Gibraltar while Ireland face the much more daunting task of a trip to Warsaw on Sunday.
If the job can be done in advance of such a nervewracking scenario, by whatever means, all the better.
Cyrus Christie appears to be fit despite a recent hip problem. James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
Glenn Whelan and James McClean are both suspended this evening, while yellow cards for either James McCarthy or Jon Walters would see them ruled out of the final qualifier.
Seamus Coleman joined Ciaran Clark, Stephen Quinn, Harry Arter and Marc Wilson on the injury list yesterday although, crucially, O’Neill expects the Everton defender to be “absolutely and utterly fine” in time to face Poland.
Cyrus Christie looks set to start on the right side of defence in his absence while Richard Keogh and Robbie Brady could also get their chance in the injury-hit back four.
While there are 52 places between the countries in the Fifa world rankings, O’Neill knows that Ireland need to show some sort of adventure, and that attack might be the best form of defence at times.
He said: ”We will get a chance to play in the game, no doubt at all about it, and it’s up to us then to try to manouevre the ball well enough to get into a few positions where we can have some strikes at goal.
“There are times when we are going to have to play without the ball. I think those things are possibly ingrained into the team. It’s nothing new.
It’s how we approach that. If we stay behind the ball the whole game and not be positive going forward, then the Germans are good enough to beat you. We will have to try to be positive.
Richard Keogh could partner John O'Shea in the centre of defence. Donall Farmer / INPHO
Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO
He added: “Spirit alone won’t win you football matches but it does help in times of real predicament. I think that we have that.
I talk about it, yes, but we have one or two players who can play a bit as well and given a chance, who can open up the Germans. And if you can open up the Germans, you can open up other countries as well.
Germany can guarantee their own automatic qualification with a point in Dublin tonight and captain Robbie Keane knows that, while fans might be distracted by events across the water, the players cannot afford to be.
“We can’t dictate what’s going to happen in Glasgow so we just have to focus on us,” he said.
I’m sure the crowds will be on their phones and what have you and checking the results.
“It’s certainly important that the players make sure that we’re fully focused on our job. We can’t help what happens up there.”
O'Neill wants an atmosphere to match the red-hot clash against Poland last March. Morgan Treacy / INPHO
Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO
The Aviva Stadium atmosphere has been more funeral parlour than fortress in recent times, but O’Neill is hoping for another high-octane night.
“A full house, the crowd behind us, obviously you want try to get every advantage you can possibly get.
“The Poland game for instance, when the Poles brought a lot of people here and really supported the team very strongly, I think we responded brilliantly that evening. The second half in particular was brilliant.
“If (this evening) evokes anything like that again, that would be great.”
Martin O'Neill has set out a positive gameplan for Ireland's clash with Germany
MARTIN O’NEILL IS no gambler.
While automatic qualification for Euro 2016 is still within Ireland’s grasp, O’Neill would shake your hand and settle for a playoff place before the first ball is kicked against Germany this evening (7.45pm).
At the same time, Poland travel to Scotland for a game that will have just as much bearing on Ireland’s fate.
If Poland leave Hampden Park with all three points tonight, Ireland will be guaranteed to finish third regardless of results in the final round of matches — unless, of course, they can do the unthinkable and upset the world champions in the Aviva Stadium.
“Sitting here this morning, I’d take my chance in the playoffs if we can get into them,” O’Neill said yesterday. “Who knows what might materialise?
“We’ve got two very, very difficult games coming up.
“We’re playing the world champions: players who are playing Champions League football on a regular basis, players who have won a World Cup, players who have got the experience of going away from home and dealing with any given situation, and they’re improving.
“We’re playing Poland away from home. Two very difficult games.
This is realism, rather than pessimism. Scotland’s final game looks to be a gimme in Gibraltar while Ireland face the much more daunting task of a trip to Warsaw on Sunday.
If the job can be done in advance of such a nervewracking scenario, by whatever means, all the better.
Glenn Whelan and James McClean are both suspended this evening, while yellow cards for either James McCarthy or Jon Walters would see them ruled out of the final qualifier.
Seamus Coleman joined Ciaran Clark, Stephen Quinn, Harry Arter and Marc Wilson on the injury list yesterday although, crucially, O’Neill expects the Everton defender to be “absolutely and utterly fine” in time to face Poland.
Cyrus Christie looks set to start on the right side of defence in his absence while Richard Keogh and Robbie Brady could also get their chance in the injury-hit back four.
While there are 52 places between the countries in the Fifa world rankings, O’Neill knows that Ireland need to show some sort of adventure, and that attack might be the best form of defence at times.
He said: ”We will get a chance to play in the game, no doubt at all about it, and it’s up to us then to try to manouevre the ball well enough to get into a few positions where we can have some strikes at goal.
“There are times when we are going to have to play without the ball. I think those things are possibly ingrained into the team. It’s nothing new.
He added: “Spirit alone won’t win you football matches but it does help in times of real predicament. I think that we have that.
Germany can guarantee their own automatic qualification with a point in Dublin tonight and captain Robbie Keane knows that, while fans might be distracted by events across the water, the players cannot afford to be.
“We can’t dictate what’s going to happen in Glasgow so we just have to focus on us,” he said.
“It’s certainly important that the players make sure that we’re fully focused on our job. We can’t help what happens up there.”
The Aviva Stadium atmosphere has been more funeral parlour than fortress in recent times, but O’Neill is hoping for another high-octane night.
“A full house, the crowd behind us, obviously you want try to get every advantage you can possibly get.
“The Poland game for instance, when the Poles brought a lot of people here and really supported the team very strongly, I think we responded brilliantly that evening. The second half in particular was brilliant.
“If (this evening) evokes anything like that again, that would be great.”
‘They play more imaginatively than the Scots’ – Germany coach talks up Ireland
What team should Ireland start for the Euro 2016 qualifier against Germany?
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
COYBIG EC Qualification Germany Ireland Republic Of Ireland