2018 World Cup Qualifying Group D: Republic of Ireland v Austria (tomorrow, Dublin, 5pm)
IN life, there are battle cries and there are Roy Keane battle cries.
Keane’s battle cries carry significantly more menace than any other.
When the Cork man told the assembled media that the Republic of Ireland were “going to war” with Austria at teatime tomorrow he didn’t raise his voice.
His delivery was ruthless and cool.
If it sent a shiver up the spine of every member of the media in Abbotstown yesterday, the struggling Austrians have been warned ahead of tomorrow’s World Cup Qualifier showdown in Dublin.
The equation is simple: a home win will bolster Ireland’s chances of automatic qualification to next summer's finals in Russia and end Austria’s interest.
A win for Austria will give the visitors hope of shaking up Group D.
A draw and the Republic will still be in a good place.
After answering a question about Seamus Coleman’s recovery from a broken leg he sustained against Wales in March, Keane said: “People have done a lot more for their country. People have died for their country so you expect players to put their bodies on the line.
"We’re going into battle on Sunday. We want players to put their body on the line the way Seamus did.
“I think the players are in good spirits and hopefully we can produce moments of quality which we’ll need.”
With Jon Walters fit to resume at centre forward after a few days’ rest after last weekend’s friendly win over Uruguay, Darren Randolph is expected to fight off the claims of Keiren Westwood for the goalkeeper’s jersey.
The visitors, who are four points adrift of joint leaders Serbia and Ireland, are without a host of key players including playmaker Marko Arnautovic (suspended).
