Republic of Ireland v Bosnia-Herzegovina: Brady calls for improvement

That they would win 3-0 and tomorrow’s match would be a handy lap of honour in Dublin.

Both players took part in training at Abbotstown yesterday with the 106 times capped O’Shea the more likely to start the return leg but Long who has been troubled by an ankle ligament injury was rated 50/50 overnight.

“The team did very well and had more opportunities”.

Bosnia responded well to going behind and Edin Dzeko flashed an effort wide before cushioning a header into the path of Haris Medunjanin, who volleyed over from the edge of the box.

“Obviously there were disappointments along the way as you would expect like in Scotland but we hung in there and the players showed great fighting spirit”. We know they have got a few players that can hurt us, so we need to keep a few players quiet on Monday and up our own game.

Bosnia dominated the opening half as winger Edin Visca and full back Mensur Mujdza found space to operate on the right flank against an Irish team missing several key players through injury and suspension.

The Republic have qualified for a second successive Euros after reaching Poland and Ukraine in 2012, where they were knocked out of the group stages, and former midfielder Graham Kavanagh believes they have a chance to do better this time.

Clark and his defensive colleagues managed to shackle Roma striker Dzeko for much of the game at the Bilino Polje Stadium, but were unable to prevent him from snatching a lifeline when his 85th-minute equaliser cancelled out Robbie Brady’s earlier strike.

Taking Brady out of midfield would give O’Neill the chance to use a pair of fresh legs in the engine room and I think that is going to be important. The home side are the 29/20 favourites to win with bet365, while Bosnia are the 9/4 outsiders to grab a win.

A minute’s silence will be observed before the game in memory of the victims.

“Mostly I’m delighted for the players, they have been absolutely fantastic, and if they hold in me in any sort of regard, it’s minuscule by comparison to the esteem I hold them in”.

Keane was quick to poke fun at himself when asked how Ireland could improve on their previous dismal showing at a European Championship finals tournament. One Bosnian goal in Dublin is all it would take to undo all the good work of last Friday night.

So we have to play this cagily. We will try to limit the mistakes and hopefully we can come out the other side.

“Ward will be keen to feature for the national side once again on Monday, before he turns his attention back to trying to force his way into Sean Dyche’s starting line-up for their next match against Brighton at Turf Moor on November 22”.