As they prepare to end the Republic of Ireland’s World Cup dream in Vienna tomorrow night, Austria believe sacking Giovanni Trapattoni would be a crazy move.

Almost four years on from Paris, the scene of one of Ireland’s greatest performances, defender Marc Wilson is adamant only a repeat of those heroics tomorrow in Austria will prevent a premature end to the World Cup dream.

WORLD CUP 2014 GROUP C QUALIFIER:

Three months out from their home World Cup qualifier game against Ireland and the fervour is already building in Austria.

WORLD CUP QUALIFIER GROUP C:

TONY MOWBRAY claimed his side’s dramatic Europa League comeback to draw 3-3 against Rapid Vienna in the Ernst Happel Stadium last night epitomised the spirit of the Parkhead club.

Rapid Vienna 3 Celtic 3

Tony Mowbray is expecting a “professional performance” from the fringe Celtic players he will use in tonight’s meaningless Europa League game against Rapid Vienna.

Paddy McCourt and Lee Naylor are out of Celtic’s Europa League dead rubber against Rapid Vienna at the Ernst Happel Stadium tomorrow night.

ANDREI ARSHAVIN has dreams of moving to Spain — after knocking them out of Euro 2008 — and has warned Russia’s semi-final opponents he is yet to peak at the tournament.

Croatia 1 Turkey 1 (Turkey won 3-1 on penalties)

COLIN KAZIM-RICHARDS is set to complete his journey from League Two to Euro 2008 quarter-finalist when Turkey face Croatia in Vienna tonight (7.45pm).

Germany midfielder Michael Ballack wants to knock Luiz Felipe Scolari out of Euro 2008 after setting up a quarter-final against Portugal with a stunning winner in Vienna.

Austria 0 Germany 1

POLAND coach Leo Beenhakker led a rallying call for his squad and insists they are ready to continue their “miracle” of reaching Euro 2008 by staying in the tournament beyond the first week.

CROATIA boss Slaven Bilic has backed Luka Modric to take centre stage at Euro 2008 in the absence of Eduardo — and the Tottenham midfielder is confident he can live up to expectations.

Scotland will play Austria in a friendly at the end of this season, the Scottish Football Association has confirmed.

Austria 1 Wales 0

Newcastle continued their march towards the UEFA Cup quarter-finals as Olympiacos collapsed in Greece, but Middlesborough's cup dreams hang on a thread tonight after a 3-2 defeat to Sporting Lisbon.

THE organisers of Euro 2008 in Austria and Switzerland have dropped plans to use a new football stadium in Zurich after a long-running battle with environmentalists in the Swiss city.

Steven Gerrard was included in England’s starting line-up for their opening World Cup qualifying game in Austria tonight after passing a late fitness test.