The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)

Ireland’s date with destiny

Meyler says Republic will see off Denmark to book Russia ticket

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David Meyler is convinced the Republic of Ireland will be heading for the World Cup finals in Russia.

Ireland take on Denmark tonight having emerged from the first leg of their play-off in Copenhagen with a 0-0 draw and knowing their dreams will live or die on what happens back at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

Martin O’Neill’s men have produced their best when they have needed it most during the manager’s four-year reign to date, beating Germany, Italy and just last month, Wales when the alternativ­e was simply not an option, and Meyler is expecting more of the same this time around.

The Hull midfielder said: “If you look back at when we started the campaign with Serbia away, this is where we wanted to be, this is the goal.

“The European championsh­ip was a great ex- perience and we can draw on that but we need to just go and perform tomorrow night and I believe fully that we’ll be going to Russia.”

That will be easier said than done with Denmark, who are ranked seven places above the Republic by Fifa, still smarting from the stalemate at the Parken Stadium, where keeper Darren Randolph repeatedly denied them.

O’Neill’s side has been vaunted for its durability rather than its easiness on the eye, with Denmark midfielder Thomas Delaney admitting trying to break them down was like attempting to “open a can of baked beans with your bare hands”.

The 65-year-old O’Neill knows a different approach may be required this time around with a score draw enough to send the Danes through, but he makes no apologies for playing to the strengths of his players.

He said: “It would be lovely to have a prolific goalscorer in the side that you can turn to. If you don’t have that, then you have to try to find other ways.

“That is what we have been trying to do.”

He added with a smile: “It was a shame that when I came in here, Robbie Keane was the same age as me, unfortunat­ely. But there is a terrific spirit in the camp, a great never-say-die spirit.”

Should the game finish 0-0, extra time and possibly penalties may be required to separate the sides and Ireland have prepared for just that eventualit­y.

However, O’Neill knows from experience that all the preparatio­n in the world cannot replicate that moment, illustrati­ng his point by reference to the 1984 European Cup final in which Roma’s Falcao and Toninho did not step up for a shootout against Liverpool.

He said: “Generally speaking, those lads who volunteer to take them in practice won’t take them in matches.

“Remember that great final between Liverpool and Roma? A couple of great Brazilians, the best players in the world, downed tools and wouldn’t take them.”

“When I came in here, Robbie Keane was the same age as me”

 ??  ?? FINAL HURDLE: Ireland manager Martin O’Neill talks to the press ahead of the crunch play-off game against Denmark tonight
FINAL HURDLE: Ireland manager Martin O’Neill talks to the press ahead of the crunch play-off game against Denmark tonight
 ??  ?? Liam Miller in action for Celtic in the Hoops’ league title winning season of 2003-2004
Liam Miller in action for Celtic in the Hoops’ league title winning season of 2003-2004
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