FORMER IRELAND INTERNATIONAL Kevin Kilbane believes that Martin O’Neill’s team have nothing to fear when they take on Poland in a crucial Euro 2016 qualifier on Sunday.
Poland have picked up 10 points from four games and currently sit at the top of Group D, with Germany, Scotland and Ireland each trailing three points behind. After suffering defeat in their last qualifier against Scotland, a loss for Ireland would see the Boys in Green slip further out of the hunt for automatic qualification.
However, although Adam Nawalka’s side recorded a shock 2-0 win over world champions Germany last October, Kilbane remains unconvinced and suggested that they are being hyped up too much.
“I think it’s a very evenly matched game, very similar to the Scotland game last time out. I think we’ve got a really good chance, particularly with us being at home,” Kilbane said, speaking on the YBIG Football Show.
“I think we’re putting too much hype around this Poland team because they are top of the group and they had that really good result against Germany.
“But I saw Scotland outplay them for the majority of the game [2-2 draw in October] so I don’t think the team have got anything to fear.”
Meanwhile, Southend have signed Stephen McLaughlin on loan from Nottingham Forest until the end of the season.
The 24-year-old, who previously played in the League of Ireland with Finn Harps and Derry City, made nine appearances for Forest this campaign before agreeing to join the League Two club.
