Preview - Republic of Ireland v Bosnia

Republic of Ireland host Bosnia-Herzegovina in Dublin on Monday with their Euro 2016 qualifying play-off with the tie delicately balanced.

The two sides played out a 1-1 draw in the fog in Zenica on Friday evening, a result that gives the Republic a slim advantage heading into the return clash at the Aviva Stadium.

Republic manager Martin O'Neill knows that a goalless draw will be enough to see his team progress to next summer's European championship in France.

However, O'Neill has warned his players that relying on their away goal to seal their place in France next summer would be a "recipe for disaster".

"Obviously, it would be terrific if we could do it, but I have to be very, very mindful of the fact that we are a long way away from doing that," he said.

"We have to put things into perspective: Bosnia are capable of scoring, they could wipe that advantage, that away goal that we have within minutes of the game, and then suddenly they are on the front foot.

"If we think that we can keep them out for 90 minutes and camp ourselves just outside our own penalty area, that would be a recipe for disaster.

Martin O'Neill believes his players can't afford to rely on their away goal against Bosnia

"We have to consider being really on the front foot, genuinely, and going and trying to win this game, and that's it.

"If you'd thought that we'd have to win in the Aviva for the final time, you probably would have taken that."

Republic of Ireland defender Ciaran Clark said he is fully focused after his side scored a crucial away goal in their 1-1 draw with Bosnia

Republic of Ireland defender Ciaran Clark said he is fully focused after his side scored a crucial away goal in their 1-1 draw with Bosnia

One player the Republic will need to keep a close eye on is Bosnia winger Edin Visca, who produced an impressive display in the first leg at the Bilino Polje Stadium, creating Edin Dzeko's late equaliser.

"They raid down the right-hand side because they've got a very, very fine right winger," O'Neill added. "What they want to do is try to get it out to the little lad, who is exceptionally talented.

"I think he could cause problems to anybody."

Forward Shane Long and defender John O'Shea trained with the Republic squad on Sunday morning and the duo could now be fit to face Bosnia after knee and hamstring injuries respectively.

Meanwhile, Stoke City striker Jonathan Walters will be back from suspension after missing the game in Zenica.

However, Daryl Murphy, who led the line in Long's absence in the first leg, was the only man to sit out the warm-up, while veteran goalkeeper Shay Given misses the match with a knee injury.

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Sweden Take Home Advantage

Emil Forsberg scored one goal and won a penalty that Zlatan Ibrahimovic converted before Denmark’s Nicolai Jorgensen snatched a late goal to leave the Euro 2016 play-off delicately balanced as Sweden won the first leg 2-1.

The game exploded into life on the stroke of half-time when the winger Forsberg swept Mikael Lustig’s pass beyond Kasper Schmeichel in Denmark’s goal. The crowd had barely taken their seats at the start of the second period when Forsberg was upended by Thomas Kahlenberg after a surging run into the box and Sweden’s captain Ibrahimovic thundered home the resulting spot-kick.

Denmark, who failed to score in their final three group games, created few chances until the substitute Jorgensen stole in at the far post to poke the ball home in the 80th minute and throw his side a lifeline.

With the outside of Stockholm’s Friends Arena lit up in the red, white and blue colours of the French flag, a minute’s silence for the victims of Friday’s Paris attacks was observed before the game. Both sides also wore black armbands in memory of the 129 people who died.

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In a game billed as a clash between the rival strikers Ibrahimovic and Nicklas Bendtner, the more direct approach of the Swedes paid dividends while the Danes put on a remarkably flat performance until their late goal.

Ibra’s strike partner Marcus Berg wasted a number of early chances although Bendtner could have put Denmark ahead before Forsberg’s goal when he steered an effort just wide.

Denmark dominated the last 10 minutes but could not find an equaliser. The second leg is in Copenhagen on Tuesday with the winners securing a place in the finals in France.

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Republic of Ireland v Germany - Preview

Seamus Coleman has been ruled out of the Republic of Ireland's Euro 2016 qualifier against Germany with injury.

Manager Martin O'Neill confirmed on Wednesday that the Everton defender has a hamstring injury which will keep him out of Thursday's tie in Dublin.

However he is hopeful Coleman, who has not trained all week, could be available for the final Group D clash against Poland on Sunday in Warsaw.

Fears over Wes Hoolahan's fitness have eased after he trained on Wednesday.

The Norwich midfielder has a heel problem but is expected to start with midfielders Glenn Whelan and James McClean suspended.

Coleman has missed recent games for Everton with the hamstring injury which also kept him out of the Republic's win over Gibraltar last month.

Cyrus Christie could again deputise for Coleman in the crucial Group D clash.

The Derby County player scored his first international goal in the 4-0 qualifier win over Gibraltar, although Coleman was back in the side that beat Georgia.

Defender Marc Wilson is a major doubt having stayed at his club Stoke City for treatment on a calf injury.

Martin O'Neill's side face a tough double-header, but victory in just one of the matches would guarantee at least a third-place finish and a play-off spot.

Two draws would not be enough for the Republic if Scotland, who trail them by four points, win their final games against the Poles and Gibraltar.

Midfielder Wes Hoolahan should feature against Germany after recovering from a heel injury

At Tuesday's training, assistant manager Roy Keane said he expected the Republic's record goalscorer Robbie Keane to be ready to face Germany if selected days after the birth of his second son.

The 35-year-old Los Angeles Galaxy striker was not due to arrive in Dublin until Tuesday evening after his wife Claudine gave birth on the other side of the Atlantic.

Asked whether his former team-mate would be available for the showdown with group leaders Germany, Keane said: "Yes, why wouldn't he be?

"He didn't have the baby. Unless he's breast-feeding he should be all right."

The younger Keane was part of the team that secured a famous 1-1 draw with the world champions courtesy of John O'Shea's injury-time strike in Gelsenkirchen in October last year.

That result came amid an uncharacteristically slow start to the campaign by Joachim Low's men, who have since put together a run of five successive qualifier victories.

Assistant boss Keane said the world champions would be a different proposition this time around, but he was confident Ireland had improved too.

He said: "I think we are a stronger team. Like you would expect with any campaign, teams improve.

"Germany were a bit sluggish at the start, but with all the qualities they have it was only a matter of time before they started winning matches and topped the group.

"But we will be ready

#IRLGER

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Keane Laughs from Roy

Roy Keane is expecting the Republic of Ireland’s record goalscorer, Robbie Keane, to be ready to face Germany on Thursday despite the recent arrival of his second son. The 35-year-old LA Galaxy striker was not due to arrive in Dublin until Tuesday evening after his wife, Claudine, gave birth in America.

Asked if his former team-mate would be available for the critical match against the Group D leaders at the Aviva Stadium, Ireland’s assistant manager said: “Yes, why wouldn’t he be? He didn’t have the baby. Unless he’s breastfeeding he should be all right.”

The striker was part of the team that secured a famous 1-1 draw with the world champions courtesy of John O’Shea’s injury-time strike in Gelsenkirchen in October last year, and a repeat at the Aviva could have a major say in whether or not they make it to the finals in France next summer.

That result came amid an uncharacteristically slow start to the campaign by Joachim Löw’s men, who have since put together a run of five successive qualifier victories. However, while the former Manchester United captain Keane admits they will be a different proposition this time around, he is confident Ireland have improved too.

He said: “I think we are a stronger team. Like you’d expect with any campaign, teams improve. We were still new to the job at the time and, yes, I think we are a better team.

“But certainly Germany’s form, as you would have expected – they were a bit sluggish at the start, but with all the qualities they have it was only a matter of time before they started winning matches and topped the group, no doubt. But we will be ready.”

Ireland go into an intensely difficult pair of games – they face second-placed Poland in Warsaw on Sunday evening in their final match – knowing victory in just one of those matches will guarantee at least a third-place finish and a play-off spot. However, they are equally aware that should Scotland, who trail them by four points, beat both the Poles and Gibraltar, even creditable draws against the Germans and in Warsaw would mean they miss out.

O’Neill’s number two said: “I’ve said it before, this is what the players and this is what we are in the game for. It’s a big game, we are playing quality opposition. This is what it’s all about.”

The Republic have a series of selection headaches with the midfielders Glenn Whelan and James McClean suspended and the full-back Séamus Coleman, the central defender Marc Wilson and the playmaker Wes Hoolahan carrying knocks.

Cyrus Christie, who could yet deputise for the hamstring victim Coleman, did train at Abbotstown on Tuesday morning but the management team will keep their collective fingers crossed as they await news on their walking wounded.

The former Aston Villa assistant Keane adopted a similar stance to that of O’Neill over Jack Grealish’s decision to opt to represent England rather than Ireland. He had tried to persuade the 20-year-old to continue to play for the nation he has represented at age group levels up to under-21 during their time together in the Midlands but ultimately accepted his decision to choose the country of his birth.

O’Neill had earlier launched a stern defence of his handling of the situation, insisting he had not prostituted himself in a bid to land the youngster, and asked if everything had been done that could be done, Keane said: “Yes, absolutely. What more can you do?

“I think the manager did everything he could. Jack was already playing for Ireland and you were hoping that he’d continue. That’s life, you move on.”

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Gundogan Ready for Eire

Germany will have to beat 11 Irish players on the field and thousands off it when they look to win the point they need to qualify for EURO 2016 this Thursday, according to Ilkay Gundogan and Jerome Boateng.

Having beaten Scotland in front of a partisan crowd in Glasgow last month, Germany have already had a taste of what they can expect at the Aviva Stadium this week with the atmosphere seen as one of the biggest challenges they will face.

"The fans make it a great atmosphere, but we just have to focus on our game," said Bayern Munich defender Boateng.

Dortmund midfielder Gundogan added: "I think that Ireland are similar to Scotland and it's going to be a great atmosphere, and I think we can all look forward to it.

"We beat Scotland, though, and we should be aiming to do the same in Dublin to book our ticket (to France)."

"We do hear the fans, but even if we put together a good move or score a good goal you always get applause from the home fans here."

A point would suffice on Thursday for Germany to seal their qualification mathematically.

They will nevertheless not be parking the bus and playing for a draw in Dublin with Gundogan explaining that is not the world champions' mentality.

"We've not even had the chance to talk about it yet, but I don't think we're going to aim to get the point we need and play a tactical game," he said at a press conference on Tuesday.

"We want to win, of course, and I'm sure we'll play for all three points."

Boateng has warned that Germany will have to be patient and wait for their chances, but he is equally convinced that those fans who will be jeering their every touch at the start of the game will be recognising their quality come the end.

"This is a very important game in which we want to get the points to qualify," he said.

"We've got to keep things tight to start with and be patient, and then look for the gaps and try to exploit them. We do hear the fans, but even if we put together a good move or score a good goal you always get applause from the home fans here.

"They are very respectful. It's great to see how fair most of the fans are in Ireland."

Lukas Podolski is a doubt for the trip to Ireland due to an ankle injury, but Thomas Muller is on board and expected to be Germany's danger man once again.

"You never know what Thomas Muller's going to do next," said Gundogan, who was unable to keep the Bayern midfielder quiet in his side's 5-1 defeat at the weekend which saw Muller on target twice.

"With some players you can second guess them, but with Thomas Muller you have no idea.

"He just pops up in front of goal, unmarked, and does it really smartly. He's very important for Bayern and for Germany too."

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Gibraltat No Gimme - Keane

Roy Keane says Republic of Ireland have "seen enough of Gibraltar" to know Friday's European Qualifier is no walkover.

Europe's newest international side were beaten 7-0 in Dublin in October last year and have shipped 34 goals in six Group D games.

They did manage a goal in a 6-1 defeat to Scotland in March, though, and Ireland's assistant boss Keane said: "We are obviously away from home and we've seen enough of Gibraltar to understand that if we are not at the races...

"We've seen from the goal against Scotland and the chances they had against Germany - if we take our eye off the ball, we could slip up, so first and foremost, we have to win the game.

"For us as staff, we obviously want to see goals, but that's up to the players to go out and perform and get the right result, take some momentum into the home game.

"I cannot over-analyse it. It's a massive game for us and we are ready for it. Are we expected to win? Of course we are. That's good, you know.

"We've got experienced players. The biggest danger - you sometimes see it in English cup games - if you take your eye off the ball or underestimate somebody, then you are in trouble.

"I've seen it before and we have got to make sure that it does not happen. That's part of our jobs. We have experienced players in the squad, so I don't think there is any chance of that happening."

Ireland can ill afford a slip-up as they go into the games against Gibraltar and Georgia two points off a play-off place.

Scotland currently occupy that third place and are in Tibilisi on Friday before hosting World Cup winners Germany on Monday, so the latest round of games represents an opportunity for the Irish to bridge the gap.

Keane said: "We found it difficult to win in Georgia, so I am pretty sure it will be tough for Scotland. But we cannot worry about what is going on elsewhere.

"There's a massive four games coming up for lots of countries, but our mindset is on what we can do. Obviously we are hoping that other teams might slip up but, first and foremost, we have got to do our own jobs."

Paul McShane was the only Irish player to miss training on Wednesday after reporting minor discomfort in his hip and back.

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