IRELAND’S SLIM HOPES of qualifying for the 2016 European Championships in France very much depend on Martin O’Neill’s men enjoying a strong second half to the campaign.
The Boys in Green are currently outside the two automatic qualifications places and the third-placed play-off spot, after two wins, three draws and a defeat.
Regardless of what happens elsewhere, nothing less than six points from upcoming games against Gibraltar and Georgia will do. However, hours before Ireland kick off at the Estadio Algarve this evening (7.45pm), all eyes will be on Tbilisi, where Georgia host Scotland (5pm).
As they are only two points better off, catching the Scots appears to be Ireland’s best hope.
11 months ago, Gordon Strachan’s side needed a Akaki Khubartia own-goal to earn victory over Georgia in Glasgow and, under new manager Kakhaber Tskhadadze, they could cause similar problems at the Dinamo Arena — just as they did against Ireland before Aiden McGeady’s injury-time winner.
A draw would bring Ireland level on points with Scotland, while an unlikely Georgia victory coupled with Ireland’s expected win over Gibraltar would see us leapfrog the Scots into third.
And while Ireland then welcome Georgia to Dublin on Monday night, the Tartan Army are tasked with entertaining world champions Germany at Hampden Park.
It might be wishful thinking, but the best-case scenario sees Ireland finish this international break on 15 points with Scotland four back on 11. That would leave us in a favourable position ahead of extremely difficult games to end the group next month — at home to Germany and away to Poland
We live in hope.
Remaining fixtures
Today: Georgia v Scotland (5pm), Germany v Poland (7.45pm), Gibraltar v Ireland (7.45pm).
Monday: Poland v Gibraltar (7.45pm), Ireland v Georgia (7.45pm), Scotland v Germany (7.45pm).
8 October: Georgia v Gibraltar (7.45pm), Ireland v Germany (7.45pm), Scotland v Poland (7.45pm).
11 October: Germany v Georgia (7.45pm), Gibraltar v Scotland (7.45pm), Poland v Ireland (7.45pm).
