Soccer

We will be in Russia next summer: David Meyler

David Meyler believes Ireland will be celebrating at the end of tonight's World Cup play-off with Denmark
David Meyler believes Ireland will be celebrating at the end of tonight's World Cup play-off with Denmark David Meyler believes Ireland will be celebrating at the end of tonight's World Cup play-off with Denmark

2018 World Cup play-off second leg: Republic of Ireland v Denmark (tonight, Aviva Stadium. 7.45pm, first leg 0-0)

DAVID Meyler “fully believes” the Republic of Ireland will be playing at next year’s World Cup finals ahead of tonight’s World Cup play-off showdown against Denmark.

After missing last Saturday night’s scoreless draw in Copenhagen, the Hull City midfielder is expected to be recalled for tonight’s make-or-break second leg that will decide which nation advances to the 2018 finals.

The Cork man is fancied to anchor the Irish midfield with rookie international Callum O’Dowda the likely player to make way following the first leg.

Shane Long will probably be the only other change to the Irish line-up with Daryl Murphy expected to be relegated to the bench as the Republic go in search of goals to fend off the Danes.

“It’s simple,” said Meyler. “We’ve got to go and win the game. Every game, we approach it the same way. The game away to Denmark, they were trying to open a can of beans with their hands [referencing Danish midfielder Thomas Delaney’s colourful analogy].

“It’s not like we’re going to turn over and be easy to beat. We’re not going to be easy to beat. We’re going to go and try and win the game because we want to qualify for the World Cup. We’re not going to lie there and let Denmark roll us over. We need to go there and we need to perform and we need to score goals. I believe we will.”

The 28-year-old, who will win his 23rd international cap in Dublin tonight, admitted he was a bag of nerves watching last Saturday night’s first leg from the stands.

“It’s obviously a lot different if you’re involved. When you’re watching, you’re kicking every ball and screaming. The lads did very well and we have to continue that and get to Russia.”

Even in Meyler’s absence, the Irish midfield dealt well with the threat of Christian Eriksen who was pushed to the periphery of the first game.

If selected, it will be Meyler’s chief responsibility to nullify Eriksen’s threat – but he's wary of other threats in the Danish team.

Pione Sisto has been in excellent form for La Liga club Celta Vigo this season.

He started brightly before fading in the second half, while forwards Nicolai Jorgensen, Andreas Cornelius and Yussuf Poulsen are all physical powerhouses.

“Eriksen did fine [in the first leg]. Listen, they didn’t score and we kept them quiet. It will have to be the same tomorrow, but it’s not just Eriksen. They have a good team with a lot of players in the Champions League. We have watched them all week and are fully prepared.”

Meyler added: “This is the stuff you dream of as a kid. We are 90 minutes away. If you look back to the Serbia game at the start [of qualification], this is where you wanted to be. The Euros were great and we can draw on that, but we need to go and perform now and I fully believe we’ll be going to Russia.”

Meanwhile, Meyler echoed the sentiments of his manager after the devastating news that former Ireland international and Celtic midfielder Liam Miller (36) has cancer.

“We obviously heard the news but are unsure of what the details are. But our thoughts go out to him and his family. We are thinking of him and hoping that he can pull through. That comes from the whole team."

Martin O’Neill added: “I gave Liam his debut at Celtic, he did wonderfully well in a Champions League game one evening. He was outstanding.

“We heard just recently, we did not know how bad it was. Obviously, all thoughts go out to him and his family and he's got three children as well.

"He's a very young man, 36 years of age. It puts things in perspective."