For Ireland to get something out of tonight’s game against Germany at the Aviva Stadium will require nothing less than a minor miracle, in my opinion.

All good international careers must begin somewhere, but the scorer of Germany’s World Cup-winning goal shone early as a teenager in two of his first international appearances in Cork and Kerry.

The emotions had calmed and the mood was one of utmost respect between the two clubs in the Wembley press room — which is why it was all the more surprising Jupp Heynckes couldn’t resist one last dig in Borussia Dortmund’s direction.

Real Madrid 2 Borussia Dortmund 0

Germany’s Mario Goetze and Lukas Podolski are nursing minor injuries but will be fit for tomorrow night’s World Cup soccer qualifier against Ireland in Dublin, assistant coach Hansi Flick said last night.