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Sudden death scenario for Martin O'Neill's Republic

Martin O'Neill's side need to win if they are to stand any chance of reaching the Euro 2016 finals
Martin O'Neill's side need to win if they are to stand any chance of reaching the Euro 2016 finals Martin O'Neill's side need to win if they are to stand any chance of reaching the Euro 2016 finals (Niall Carson/PA)

SO this is it – the sudden death scenario has arrived for Martin O’Neill’s Republic of Ireland. For the Irish to stand any chance of featuring at next summer’s Euro 2016 finals in France, they must beat Scotland in Dublin this evening.


No caveats. No addendums. The bottleneck traffic at the top of Group D decrees that there will be no more bites at the qualification cherry.


It’s win-or-bust for the Irish. A victory would push them right back in contention. A draw or defeat would virtually extinguish their hopes with four games left to play.


Of course, O’Neill is much too clever to indulge in such absolutist language ahead of his most important game since taking charge of the Republic in November 2013.


He would have made a fine barrister.


With his kind of eloquence, O’Neill would have owned many a courtroom and perhaps won cases he’d no right to win.


The 63-year-old acknowledged the significance of tonight’s Celtic derby with the Scots – but steered clear of saying it was a must-win game.


In press conferences, getting a straight answer from the former Northern Ireland midfielder is like trying to nail down jelly.


But, as with all of his press briefings, there were moments of O’Neill’s charm and dry wit in the Radisson Hotel at Dublin airport yesterday.


“Naturally,” he said, “this is very, very important – it’s important to the nation, it’s important to the players, it’s important to us as a management team, we’d love to do well in it.


“In terms of international football I might not have a great deal of experience but I’ve been managing for quite some time and it doesn’t take too long before you come round to the really pressure games, and this is a big game for us.


“We have players who have played in umpteen of these matches and are able to take these games in their stride.


“I’d also like to remind you that I played in a quarter-final of a World Cup. I’m just reminding myself, really. I just thought I’d let you know about it as well. 1982 – great, great moments.”


The sum total of Ireland’s stuttering Euro 2016 qualifying campaign at the halfway point is two wins – one coming against no-hopers Gibraltar – two draws and one defeat, to the Scots last November.


The finer detail of those five games wouldn’t exactly have Irish fans bouncing with optimism against the ever-improving Scots in Dublin tonight.


Aside from the mauling of Gibraltar, the Irish have scored just four goals – three of which arrived in stoppage-time.


Aiden McGeady – a doubt for tonight’s match – scored a wonder goal in the dying embers to beat Georgia in Tbilisi last September.


John O’Shea poked home an injury-time equaliser against world champions Germany and Shane Long virtually saved Ireland’s qualification hopes from premature collapse with a late, late equaliser against Poland in Dublin three months ago.


Clearly, the current Irish squad isn’t exactly brimming with talent and boasts thoroughly modest resources compared to previous teams of the last 25 years.


Asked to sum up the squad’s qualities, O’Neill replied: “Naturally, when I look around the squad I see experience, really top class experience, a bit of energy in the side and bit of ability here and there, which is very, very important.


“I would never question their spirit and I think that has been epitomised by some late goals in matches.


“Late goals have kept us there and there is a very strong spirit in the side.


“Naturally, we’re good at some things and not so clever at others but that can be the same for a few international sides.


“But I don’t think we’ll be defeated by another team with more spirit than us.”


Spirit, he acknowledged, could “carry you a distance, but you need other things, of course, to win big games”.


In terms of spirit and desire, nothing separated Scotland and Ireland in their gripping November encounter at Parkhead.


However, the few moments of quality that emerged in the game emanated from the Scottish ranks with Shaun Maloney grabbing the only goal of the game with a magnificent move and finish.


“We are at home this time,” the Republic manager pointed out.


“We feel that we are stronger and we want to make use of that. I’m just hoping we can deal with the little details, the little things: being able to defend the set-pieces better, being able to take advantage of a little bit of craft that we have.


“We feel we are capable of winning the game and that we have good confidence in the side and I’ve good confidence in the team.”


The Irish were ravaged by absenteeism and fitness issues last November, but first-choice midfielders James McCarthy and Glenn Whelan and regular centre-back Marc Wilson are fit again, while there is a strong chance playmaker Wes Hoolahan will start against the Scots.


“Hoolahan is a very, very talented player,” O’Neill said.


“He’s done well for us. He’s missed out in a couple of matches. But, here at home, when the onus is on us to try and find an answer and you need a piece of individualism, I think Wes Hoolahan has come to the fore. He’s an important player for us and I’m glad to have him.”


Following the tragic deaths of Robbie Keane’s cousins - Alan and Steve Harris - in a sewer accident in Dublin, the LA Galaxy may not start, while he is also lacking match practice.


O’Neill added: “You have to play with desire and passion; the occasion makes this game, but you have to be cool, you have to be cool under pressure, try and eliminate silly mistakes in the game.


“The more composed you feel under this sort of pressure the better you’ll perform.”

THE Republic of Ireland meet Scotland in their crucial Euro 2016 qualifying Group D clash at the Aviva Stadium this afternoon.


We look at three key match-ups which will have a big sy on how things pan out...

Robbie Keane v Russell Martin


Republic boss Martin O’Neill sprang something of a surprise when he left Keane out of the starting line-up for the reverse fixture in November, the first time he had been dropped by his country in 13 years. However, his 65 international goals make him still Ireland’s biggest threat and the 90 minutes he got under his belt for the Los Angeles Galaxy at the weekend following an injury lay-off mean he is back in contention, although a family tragedy that saw two of his cousins lose their life this week has cast doubt over Keane’s participation.


After sitting out last week’s friendly against Qatar, Martin will return to the heart of the Scotland defence where he has proved himself to be a rugged and reliable stopper under Gordon Strachan. Norwich’s promotion to the top flight will have done his confidence no harm and his organisational skills will be key to this encounter.

James McCarthy v Scott Brown


Well-known to Scotland fans after his successful spell at Hamilton, Glasgow-born McCarthy is emerging as one of Ireland’s brightest hopes for the future. Assured in possession and combative out of it, his ability to pierce the Scottish defence could prove crucial to the home side’s hopes.


He will come up against Scotland captain Brown, who has just concluded one of his finest seasons for Celtic. The tireless midfielder has been at his most enthusiastic and his drive and determination sets the tempo for his team mates.

John O’Shea v Steven Fletcher


O’Shea’s vast experience – he is in line to win his 104th cap this afternoon – could prove invaluable in one of the Republic’s most important games for years. The extent to which he is able to keep Sunderland team-mate Fletcher quiet could go a long way towards giving Ireland a platform from which to attempt to win the game.


Fletcher goes into this crucial encounter 


on the back of his first ever hat-trick in dark blue, against Gibraltar at Hampden Park in March. 


The Black Cats striker is not prolific but brings more than goals to the national team, with his hold-up play integral to the Scots breaking quickly and also alleviating pressure on the defence, while he links up well with the runners from midfield.