On paper, things couldn't have gone better for Martin O'Neill's side on Friday. Germany dispatched Poland 3-1, Republic of Ireland took care of business with minimal fuss against Gibraltar, and most importantly - Scotland lost ground away to Georgia.
It's now brought Ireland firmly back into the race for Euro 2016 qualification, and has brought the proclamation from Republic of Ireland manager Martin O'Neill that automatic qualification isn't out of the realms of possibility:
According the Sunday Times, after Friday's game O'Neill said:
Everybody’s fighting. Scotland are still in it, well and truly in it. They have a better head-to-head than us so we have to try and stay ahead. Poland will feel that they still have something up their sleeves. Everybody has been beaten, everybody has lost games.
He's not wrong. Some quick maths confirms that should Ireland win their remaining three games then automatic qualification would be assured. That's before realising that two of those games are against the group's top two teams - Germany and Poland.
The manager's sentiment was echoed by John O'Shea and Shane Long - although they were reluctant to look past Georgia on Tuesday night:
Fingers crossed we take care of Georgia first. If we do that, then we know you're not talking about just a playoff then - you're talking about a chance of automatic qualification. That's what's in your hands, a home game against Germany, it's going to be difficult, they're obviously getting a bit of form together, then you have to go away to Poland, who we felt we should have beaten at home, we know we can get a result there. But let's beat Georgia first.
With Scotland playing Germany at the same time - Ireland could find themselves with a five point cushion in third place should results go the right way. With six points then left on offer, Ireland should be aiming for at least a play-off spot.
[Sunday Times (€)]
See Also: Vines: All The Goals As Germany Go Top In Ireland's Group
See Also: The One Stat To Prove That Georgia's Victory Over Scotland Was No Fluke
Picture credit: David Maher / SPORTSFILE
