If Martin O’Neill had been planning to deliver a mission statement to sum up why he believes the going will be heavy as well as hot when Ireland and Georgia lock horns in Tbilisi today, he could hardly have prepared the ground better than did the obliging local journalist who began yesterday’s pre-match press conference in the Dinamo Arena first by reminding the manager that the Irish have an eight-zero record against his national team and then by asking how “easy” did he think it would be for the visitors to make it nine out of nine.

Giovanni Trapattoni has admitted he would not be happy with four points from the Republic of Ireland’s opening two World Cup qualifiers.

DESPITE the result, there was only one real winner at the Stade Chaban-Delmas on Saturday night. With just minutes remaining and clinging for dear life to a four-point lead, Ireland’s future in this tournament lay in the hands of an Argentinean.

David Wallace admits Georgia’s courageous display against Argentina has emphasised the challenge Ireland face in qualifying for the World Cup quarter-finals.