REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
Darren Randolph: Faultless in both legs. Goes to France as Ireland’s new number one. 7
Séamus Coleman: Lulic was like an annoying bluebottle all night. Never gave Coleman a minute’s peace, but the Everton man played a smart game. Defended well under pressure and his passing was generally good. 7
Robbie Brady: Never going to be a natural left-back and was skinned by Visca on one occasion, but offered good attacking thrust from a deep position. Put some excellent crosses in and hit a brilliant free-kick for Ireland’s second goal. 7
Ciarán Clark: Needed incredible concentration levels to mind Dzeko and did a mighty job. Has the skill-set to be a regular at the Euro finals. 7
Richard Keogh: A couple of nervy half-clearances prompted gasps from the home crowd, but gave a wholehearted display and competed fearlessly for 60-40 balls. 7
Glenn Whelan: Never strayed from his sentry position in front of Ireland’s back four, but was, at times, hasty in the tackle. Goes to his second Euro finals as first choice. 7
James McCarthy: Made one superb tackle that denied Bosnia a dangerous breakaway. Not too productive in possession as his game has always been about stopping the opposition. On that basis, scored highly for a disciplined display. 7.5
Jeff Hendrick: Started very brightly and used the ball well. Saw less of the ball in the second-half, but worked hard in closing Pjanic and Besic down in the second-half. 7
Wes Hoolahan: The ball spent a lot of time in the air in the first-half, which didn’t suit Hoolahan, but he showed some fine touches in the final third before being replaced after 55 minutes. 6
Jonathan Walters: See Star Man
Daryl Murphy: His substitution was probably preordained after 55 minutes. There’s no secret to Murphy’s game. He battles, wins his fair share of aerial duels and has a decent left foot. That’s exactly what he brought to the occasion on Monday night. 5
SUBSTITUTES
James McClean: Gave away one bad free-kick, but sowed up the left side and was productive in the final third. 6
Shane Long: Streaked clear of the Bosnian defence in the 75th minute, but ran out of steam. Bust a gut for the cause. 6
John O’Shea: Came on in the closing stages for Whelan. Not on long enough to be rated.
STAR MAN
Jonathan Walters: Cool as ice in slotting home Ireland’s first-half penalty and side-footed the second of the night in the second-half. Arguably the most unselfish player to ever wear the green jersey and Ireland’s best player in this campaign. Tracked runners when he wasn’t holding the ball up in the final third. Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant display. 9
VIDEO: The moment Republic of Ireland qualified for EURO 2016. A night to treasure. COYBIG! https://t.co/f4TURmswWq — RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) November 16, 2015
