It is not clear even Martin O’Neill knows exactly how they have made it so far but the Republic of Ireland are within sight of Euro 2016. Perched in third place in Group D, four points above Scotland with two matches to go, they could qualify automatically, claim a play-off spot or fall out of contention all together. It is hard to say which is more likely.
The gruelling 1-0 victory over Georgia on Monday was typical of their campaign, with Ireland often looking short of even basic technique and cohesion but ultimately showing just enough gumption and quality to eke out the result they needed. It was anything but elegant yet in a way admirable, even fascinating. Continue in that vein in the final two matches and they will qualify for consecutive European Championships for the first time in their history. Even with the expansion of the tournament to 24 teams it would be no mean feat in view of their limitations, but it is plain to see why O’Neill counsels against getting carried away and why Scotland and Gordon Strachan can still harbour hope of leapfrogging the Irish.
Ireland have the toughest remaining fixtures in the group – sides very sure of themselves would find matches at home to Germany and away to Poland challenging – while Scotland’s last game is a gimme against Gibraltar. Mind you, if Scotland lose at home to Poland before that, then the Irish will be guaranteed a play-off even if they lose both their remaining matches.
O’Neill is not planning for that scenario. He is aiming for automatic qualification and that could mean taking at least a point from their next match, against the world champions in Dublin. “I think the Germans are the type of side that can play home or away without any problem at all so we really have to try to put a show on,” he said. “If we play the way we did in the first half [against Georgia], then we might be in trouble. But if we go and play really strongly, which we’ll have to do for 90 minutes, then I don’t know. I’m relishing the game and I think the players are as well.”
O’Neill will “sit and sweat” over the four weeks as he watches his players try to navigate through their club commitments unscathed but he already knows he must face Germany without Glenn Whelan and James McClean, who are suspended after getting booked against Georgia.
