LAND OF FAR O’neill upbeat ahead of Austria crunch but he warns the Green Army: We’re not even close to securing passports for Russia

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND v AUSTRIA

they had edged the play-off race in Euro qualifying, O’neill is keen to temper expectations.

“I can’t prevent what people feel about the games and how the group has gone, but I am in control of the team and how they feel about it,” he said.

“A couple of seasons ago here, almost to the day, when the Scotland game didn’t go our way (1-1 draw), I don’t think any faith was lost which was really great.

“We knew this would be a tough task and we have a million miles to go, regardless of what people feel.

“This is a big, big game. It’s not as if it’s four points for this game and two for another – it’s three points.

“A win for Austria puts them right back in it and a win for us gives us some sort of breathing space.”

O’neill has no fresh injury concerns. His starting team is picked but he won’t tell the players until an hour before the game.

His biggest selection calls this evening centre on Darren Randolph or Keiren Westwood in goal, Richard Keogh or John O’shea at centre-back and whether Wes Hoolahan (left) start the game.