Our mission is possible

WE were written off before the famous win over Italy in Giants Stadium. And we’ll be written off before Wednesday, too.

It is incredible to think it was exactly 22 years yesterday since Ray Houghton’s lob flew into the Italian net to give us our first win over the Azzurri in eight attempts.

And if we had listened to our critics beforehand, there would have been no point turning up for what turned out to be one of the most memorable games of my time in charge.

At least, with it being the last set of qualifying games, Martin O’Neill and his players will know exactly what they need to do to get third place and into the last 16.

Every single player in a green shirt was immense that day in New Jersey. Italy went on to the final, and lost in the penalty shoot-out to Brazil, but man-to-man we were by far the better side.

Another historic performance from every Ireland player is what is required for Martin and the country on Wednesday.

We need to be tight, attack Italy with some intent and give absolutely everything. Anything else and Ireland are coming home. And with England, Northern Ireland and Wales all looking good for the second phase that would be a real shame.

Italy will not want to lose their final group game, but they’ll make changes and that could play into Ireland’s hands.

They certainly won’t be the strongest Italian team we’ve faced. So it’s not an impossible task for Martin and the lads.