Ireland’s Vienna victory
JAMES McCLEAN fired the Republic of Ireland to a precious World Cup qualifying victory in Austria to spare himself a showdown with Roy Keane.
The 27-year-oldWest Brom winger scored the only goal at the Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna with a left-foot drive, and later revealed he had assistant manager Keane on his mind as he raced in on goalkeeper Ramazan Ozcan.
McClean said: “If I had missed the target, Roy would have killed me.
“He hammers us in training that we must hit the target. I hit it sweetly and it flew through the keeper’s legs.
“It was without a doubt my biggest goal for Ireland.”
Manager Martin O’Neill said: “He loves playing for us, which is very, very important and he is as proud as anything now.”
Ireland, who had not beaten Austria since 1963, rode their luck during a difficult first half with Marcel Sabitzer hitting the bar six minutes before the break, but emerged with another three points to ensure they remain firmly in the hunt for qualification from Group D.
O’Neill could not hide his delight at how the last three months has panned out.
He said: “I’m genuinely pleased we have won the game, really pleased to have 10 points on the board from four matches.”
Austria counterpart Marcel Koller was understandably disappointed at a result which leaves his team six points adrift of Ireland.
Koller said: “It is very difficult for us and they are big points for Ireland.
“Ireland played a very defensive game and, after going in front, became even more defensive. But if you do not score, you do not win.”