Reaching Russia would be pinnacle, says Ward
STEPHEN WARD believes qualification for the World Cup will be the pinnacle for this Republic of Ireland team. The Burnley defender has already featured at two European Championships, in 2012 and last summer, and has pin-pointed the next two Group D games as crucial to Martin O’Neill’s side’s hopes of reaching Russia next year. The Ireland squad train today ahead of the visit of Wales on Friday before the qualifying campaign resumes in June with Austria coming to Dublin. Ireland are currently unbeaten in four games and two points clear of Serbia at the top of the group, but Ward has admitted he expects everyone to drop more points before the end of the campaign. ‘Last year was massive for us because we went to the Euros and we can be proud of how we did as a team,’ the Dubliner said. ‘The mix in the squad is brilliant and the way we have started the World Cup group has been brilliant, too. Serbia away, Austria away, we have shown what we’re capable of but we know the next two games are going to be tough so it will be vital that we get a decent amount of points in those games because that will give us a great chance. ‘It’s going to be difficult for any side to win every game so it was important that we have already given ourselves that stepping stone. Come Wales, that’s a massive game.’ Ward turns 32 in August and has spent the last 10 years in England following a move to Wolverhampton Wanderers from Bohemians. He is now first-choice leftback with Burnley, missing just one Premier League game this season, but he says reaching Russia next summer with O’Neill and assistant Roy Keane would be the highlight of his career. ‘I think so, if we can go and do that it would be something else,’ he said. ‘The Euros was outstanding and brilliant but the pinnacle for everyone is the World Cup. That’s when you’re talking about the likes of Brazil and Argentina, the best from all over the world. ‘That would be the absolute top and what rubs off from the manager and Roy is the passion and the will to win they have, the pride they have in everything they do,’ the Dubliner added. ‘It would be a massive achievement if we can qualify, fingers crossed we do because it would be fantastic.’