Ray Houghton has called on the Republic of Ireland to be positive and try to beat Bosnia-Herzegovina on Monday night, rather than play for the 0-0 draw that would secure victory in the Euro 2016 play-off.
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Central defender John O’Shea and striker Jonathan Walters missed the game through suspension, but are available for the return, although O’Shea is also battling a hamstring injury, while Southampton frontman Shane Long is yet to rule himself out as he attempts to shake off a foot problem.
A thick fog rapidly descended as the players returned for the second half, but Ireland began reasonably brightly, with Jeff Hendrick forcing Asmir Begovic into his first save of the night on 52 minutes and then firing over from a Brady cross moments later.
Robbie Brady’s 82nd-minute strike in Zenica was cancelled out by Edin Dzeko’s sharp finish three minutes later to share the spoils in the fog-covered stadium. “He’s not taking numerous accolades, but he’s been fantastic for me, the backroom staff, and of course the players”.
“I think Ireland will win 1-0 and Jeff Hendrick might come up with his first worldwide goal”.
With England, Wales and Northern Ireland already qualified, there is a hunger here for the Republic to join the party and O’Neill said: “It would be a big boost for the country if we could qualify”. We genuinely have to be on the front foot and win the game.
Bosnia and Ireland drew 1-1 on Friday and ahead of the return bout in Dublin, Begovic is well aware of the qualities of Potters ace Walters. As footballers and football managers must, O’Neill focused on the task at hand and put fears over next summer’s finals in France to one side.
“The pressure remains the same because we know what is at stake”, said O’Neill.
Clark said: “It would be a massive honour for myself and all the lads to get there, but there’s still a job to be done here and it will be a tough task”.
“We might lack a few things in our side”, said O’Neill, “but a bit of strength of character I think is there and the likes of Jon Walters epitomises that”.
“The ball got kicked up from Randolph and it just skipped through the centre-back and I thought I had a chance of getting on the end of it so I caught up with it and came inside to put it back across the near side of the goalie. I’m not going to put players in because it might be their last worldwide game”, he said.
“I think the motivation is there”.
Republic of Ireland have scored exactly one goal in each of their last four internationals and have failed to find the back of the net in just one of their last nine.
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Bosnia’s possession game saw O’Neill’s men sink back into defence, but Robbie Brady’s breakaway goal with nine minutes remaining made sure Irish eyes were smiling at the final whistle.
