The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Duffy hopes Georgia can boost Republic’s chances
Shane Duffy was in philosophical mood after his first goal for the Republic of Ireland proved only enough to secure a World Cup qualifier draw in Georgia.
The 25-year-old Brighton defender got his country off to the best possible start in Tbilisi on Friday when he headed them into a fourth-minute lead, only for their hopes to unravel from that point onwards.
Duffy and his teammates were perhaps fortunate to leave the Boris Paichadze Dinamo Arena with a 1-1 draw.
Duffy is hoping Georgia can yet have a say in how Group D finally pans out with Ireland’s qualification rivals Serbia and Wales still to face Vladimir Weiss’ improving side.
Duffy said: “They dominated and we knew they could take points off teams because they’re a good team. That little final bit of end-product is probably what they don’t have and bigger countries do.
“For me personally, I’d say they’re better than some of the teams ranked above them.
“On paper, it’s not a glamorous team, but that was difficult, and at home it was too.”
The Republic host Serbia tomorrow in a game which is likely to prove pivotal to their hopes of making it to Russia next summer.
Serbia sit two points clear at the top of the group, with third-placed Wales two points behind Martin O’Neill’s side.