MARC WILSON KNOWS how important it is not to hit the panic button against Gibraltar.
Ireland are under pressure to boost their goal difference when they host the Group D minnows in Dublin tonight.
The Boys in Green are rarely 1/100 favourites for a competitive game and Wilson has stressed the need to get an early goal to settle any nerves.
The Stoke defender was in a similar position on his competitive debut two years ago.
Ireland travelled to the Faroe Islands still reeling from the 6-1 Germany shellacking that looked set to end Giovanni Trapattoni’s reign.
They were frustrated by the Faroes and held scoreless until Wilson popped up with a 30-yard screamer in the opening minute of the second half.
Ireland went on to win 3-1 and Trap’s job was safe — for another few months at least.
“It’s going to be a pretty similar game,” Wilson said, looking back on that trip to Torshavn.
“Obviously conditions are going to be a little bit different to the pitch out in the Faroes.
“It’s another game where I think if we’re 100% tuned in and focused, we can get three points from it, take a positive result from the game, and go into Germany, but we’re taking nothing for granted.”
Gibraltar boss Allen Bula has promised that his side won’t come and park the bus in the Aviva Stadium.
UEFA’s new boys showed their own blueprint last month when they held Poland to a single, deflected goal in the first half — and very nearly scored one of their own.
Poland hit them for six after the break but most of the Irish focus this week has been on that opening 45 when Gibraltar were at their best.
“We’ve watched them, particularly the first half this week, and they do get a lot of men behind the ball,” Wilson said.
“They’re nice and compact. Poland found it pretty difficult to break them down.
From what me and the rest of the guys have seen, they’re a pretty solid, tight, compact unit. That first goal could be key.
The spirit in the camp has been high since Aiden McGeady struck his late winner in Georgia to get the campaign off to a perfect start.
Wilson said: “You see Aiden in training every day — any time I’ve trained with him he can be a magician or he can drive you mad sometimes.
“He’s a great lad and he’s got great ability. It just so happened on the night that he showed a bit of magic and scored that great goal.”
