NO WAY DANES CAN STOP US
Meyler insists Ireland WILL qualify for World Cup tonight
DAVID MEYLER is convinced that nothing will get in the way of Ireland’s World Cup dream.
The midfielder returns from suspension tonight and is expected to captain the side in the delicately poised play-off shoot-out with Denmark. And bullish Meyler said: “I only see one outcome and I think Ireland are going to the World Cup. “I don’t think anyone will stand in our way. “Denmark are a very good team, very good players, but they don’t have the character, heart and desire that we will. “I believe in our manager, I believe in our players, I believe in all the backroom staff. I believe in everyone and I believe we will go to the World Cup.” The Hull City playmaker added: “Any time our back has been up against the wall, we have come out and we have produced a result.” Martin O’Neill feels Ireland will need to score twice against the Danes, who looked disconsolate (right) after Saturday night’s 0-0 draw in Copenhagen – but will have dangerous Tottenham star Christian Eriksen in their ranks.
The Irish boss said: “Holding Denmark out for two matches is going to be very difficult but we have to win the game.
“The consequence of winning is you go to the World Cup – the consequence of being beaten, or a score draw, is you’re out.
“It would be lovely to have a prolific goalscorer to turn to, but we don’t and you have to find other ways to win.
“We’ve had some terrific experiences but this boils down to one game – and we have to find a way to win.”
Ireland have managed just four home goals in qualifying but James McClean has weighed in with big strikes in this campaign and a nation hopes he can deliver again. O’Neill can also turn to the likes of Robbie Brady and Jeff Hendrick to create and inspire, having lit up the Euros in France in 2016. They were Ireland’s star turns then, but the Burnley pair have struggled to maintain those high standards in the green shirt. Tonight is the night to show they can do it again. “I think every player has stepped up in some aspect,” said O’Neill. “It’s a long campaign, a gruelling campaign. We started way back in Serbia and drew 2-2. I mentioned then that any side that finished in front of Serbia would win the group and so it proved. Nobody did. “We’ve been fighting the whole way through – against Austria and Wales, who made the semifinals of the Euros. It’s not been an easy group. “It’s been tough and gruelling, really tough. Some players maybe in certain games haven’t played as strongly as they would like, but that’s part of the whole game. This is where we’ve arrived, this is where we are now – and it will need big performances at the Aviva Stadium now. “Robbie, Jeff and those boys who forged great reputations in the Euros know that. While every minute has not been glorious for them, they are still capable of doing it. “I think the players want to create their own history if they can. That would be lovely, but we’re a long way away from that.”