Martin O’Neill rejects favourites tag after Republic draw in Bosnia-Herzegovina

A goalless draw in tonight’s play-off second leg against Bosnia Herzegovina would send the Republic of Ireland to Euro 2016.

Considering the fact we have Jonathan Walters returning, potentially Shane Long and John O’Shea, Irish citizens ought to walk around the coming days breathing optimism.

O’Shea was suspended for the first game but has not played since suffering a hamstring injury in Sunderland’s derby win over Newcastle United in the Premier League last month.

The potential return of O’Shea, Walters and Long could be vital for Ireland, particularly if they are able to count upon the pace of Long up front in order to hit Bosnia on the break.

Robbie Brady’s 82nd-minute strike in Zenica was cancelled out by Edin Dzeko’s sharp finish three minutes later to share the spoils in the fog-covered stadium.

“It was a well-worked goal for them, but we are obviously disappointed about conceding so late on. I think the players have wanted to play”, he said. “When things got tough I’m sure everyone involved has been through it before and we stuck together”.

The terrible conditions did not help proceedings, as Ireland dug in for a result, but an away goal and a draw were a remarkable achievement considering the visitors were second best for most of the first leg.

Ireland have an “away” goal advantage going into this evening’s clash and Martin O’Neill insists the Republic will go on the attack and go out to win the game while the onus is on Bosnia too to get a goal if they are to reach the finals in France next summer.

Bosnia are a risky opponent when they are allowed to play, but Ireland know a clean sheet will see them through, making defence a priority.

“We couldn’t quite get the ball down and play the way we wanted”, he said.

Goalkeeper Darron Randolph has put in a string of impressive performances since deputising for the injured Shay Given, and the West Ham stopper echoed his managers sentiments.

“I’ll wait until the last possible moment because he’s come up with a few big things for us”. That, though, said O’Neill, was precautionary, which suggests Murphy, still seeking an worldwide goal after 18 appearances, will start, with Long an option on the bench.

“It’s something we’ve looked at and hopefully we can put that right and bring that into the game tomorrow night”.

“I was concerned when the fog came down”, he said. “We have to be on the front foot and win the game”.

“I think I might have to give this (man-of-the-match award) to Jonny Walters”.

“If they hold me in any sort of regard, it’s minuscule by comparison to the esteem I hold them in”. If we go into the game with any other mind set, I think we will make it hard for ourselves.

He said: “I don’t want to speak too much about that because it could have consequences, but the referee had a awful night”.