With the right team, Ireland can comfortably see off Austria

Addressing Irish prospects of success in a big World Cup qualifier, it’s not often I feel I can make as apparently bold a declaration as the one which follows, writes Liam Brady.

But the fact is that, despite missing players like Seamus Coleman, Shane Long, Ciarán Clark and James McCarthy, it’s my conviction if Ireland play at all well at the Aviva tomorrow, they will not only beat Austria but beat them comfortably.

The visitors come here weakened by a number of high-profile absentees – not least the suspended Marko Arnautovic – and have shown very little in the qualifying group so far to suggest there is any great reason to consider their fortunes are about to dramatically improve.