IRELAND’S FULL-BACKS will need extra support from their team-mates against Germany, according to Niall Quinn.
Tonight sees Martin O’Neill’s men face the Group D favourites at the Stadion Gelsenkirchen (7.45pm kick-off Irish time) after wins over Georgia and Gibraltar earned them maximum points so far.
Having watched the world champions in their opening two Euro 2016 qualifiers, a narrow win over Scotland followed by defeat to Poland, Sky Sports pundit Quinn was impressed with Germany’s wide man.
Bayer Leverkusen winger Karim Bellarabi caught the eye on his senior debut in Warsaw and definitely start this evening while Chelsea attacker Andre Schurrle also caused problems on the opposite flank.
The pair are likely to come up against Stephen Ward and stand-in right-back David Meyler and Quinn says they will have to be at their best.
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“If Meyler plays right back will he be protected because we couldn’t really gauge from the (Gibraltar) game whether that will be an issue or not,” said Quinn. “With Bellarabi and Schurrle or whoever, they seemed to swap wings the other night, he is going to have a hell of a job.
“The big issues for the game for me are: Will Aiden McGeady give the full-back enough cover and will they work as a unit to try stop Germany because they will try and expose that.
“Bellarabi did really well bar his finishing. He got on the end of a lot of things and caused loads of problems but his finishing was off.
“He caught my eye with everything but his finishing. It was his first cap and I’d imagine he will stick with him. He could be under pressure from the media because he missed so many chances but he hit the target a couple of times.
If he gets the go-ahead at home, he could be a different proposition and he might be one that we should be very careful of.
“I watched that game very closely and they caused problems on both wings. I think that’s the serious starting point for Ireland to alter their gameplan compared to the other day.”
Meyler is likely to deputise for Seamus Coleman again.
Although he feels a victory for Ireland is unlikely, Quinn says that belief should be high in the away dressing room tonight.
“If I was a player I’d be very complimentary to them publically,” he added. “They are what they are – world champions. But underneath the cover of the dressing room, I would be urging people to believe that they’re not what they were last summer.
“There are issues there but if you let them play they will come back at you. They are expecting a tough game from Ireland and a different game to when they last played and if I was in the dressing room that is what I would be preaching to people.
“Be respectful in public but behind closed doors believe that this German side isn’t in the same gear as team who won the World Cup.
“It’s going to take a lot of concentration. It’s a difficult task and they are stung so we must also flip the coin and say we have to produce now. The honeymoon is over for them. It’s going to be a tough task.”
“Sky Sports is showing UEFA Euro 2016 qualifiers as part of an autumn of sport that includes Premier League, Champions League, Guinness Pro12, European Rugby Champions Cup, Autumn Internationals, Formula One and NFL at Wembley.”
Bellarabi and Schurrle can cause Ireland problems on the wings, says Quinn
IRELAND’S FULL-BACKS will need extra support from their team-mates against Germany, according to Niall Quinn.
Tonight sees Martin O’Neill’s men face the Group D favourites at the Stadion Gelsenkirchen (7.45pm kick-off Irish time) after wins over Georgia and Gibraltar earned them maximum points so far.
Having watched the world champions in their opening two Euro 2016 qualifiers, a narrow win over Scotland followed by defeat to Poland, Sky Sports pundit Quinn was impressed with Germany’s wide man.
Bayer Leverkusen winger Karim Bellarabi caught the eye on his senior debut in Warsaw and definitely start this evening while Chelsea attacker Andre Schurrle also caused problems on the opposite flank.
The pair are likely to come up against Stephen Ward and stand-in right-back David Meyler and Quinn says they will have to be at their best.
“If Meyler plays right back will he be protected because we couldn’t really gauge from the (Gibraltar) game whether that will be an issue or not,” said Quinn. “With Bellarabi and Schurrle or whoever, they seemed to swap wings the other night, he is going to have a hell of a job.
“The big issues for the game for me are: Will Aiden McGeady give the full-back enough cover and will they work as a unit to try stop Germany because they will try and expose that.
“Bellarabi did really well bar his finishing. He got on the end of a lot of things and caused loads of problems but his finishing was off.
“He caught my eye with everything but his finishing. It was his first cap and I’d imagine he will stick with him. He could be under pressure from the media because he missed so many chances but he hit the target a couple of times.
“I watched that game very closely and they caused problems on both wings. I think that’s the serious starting point for Ireland to alter their gameplan compared to the other day.”
Although he feels a victory for Ireland is unlikely, Quinn says that belief should be high in the away dressing room tonight.
“If I was a player I’d be very complimentary to them publically,” he added. “They are what they are – world champions. But underneath the cover of the dressing room, I would be urging people to believe that they’re not what they were last summer.
“There are issues there but if you let them play they will come back at you. They are expecting a tough game from Ireland and a different game to when they last played and if I was in the dressing room that is what I would be preaching to people.
“Be respectful in public but behind closed doors believe that this German side isn’t in the same gear as team who won the World Cup.
“It’s going to take a lot of concentration. It’s a difficult task and they are stung so we must also flip the coin and say we have to produce now. The honeymoon is over for them. It’s going to be a tough task.”
“Sky Sports is showing UEFA Euro 2016 qualifiers as part of an autumn of sport that includes Premier League, Champions League, Guinness Pro12, European Rugby Champions Cup, Autumn Internationals, Formula One and NFL at Wembley.”
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