High stakes as Irish march on Moscow

THREE games to go in European Championship Group B qualifying and, according to Giovanni Trapattoni, that translates into “three cup finals” for Ireland.

Actually, that’s not strictly true. Certainly, today’s game in the imposing Luzhniki Stadium here in Moscow has a make-or-break feel to it — especially after Ireland’s stumble at home to Slovakia on Friday — but, with six points still up for grabs in October, nothing can be definitively decided between Russia and Ireland tonight.

Of course, victory for the home side would give them a sturdy-looking lock on top spot, especially with Andorra at home as their final test, but they also have to go to Slovakia before that. So, whatever happens in Moscow and Skopje tonight, there will definitely be a bit of work to be done before the race for second spot, and a play-off place, can be officially called.

Yet, for all that, this is not quite Paris in 2009, there is a clear sense Ireland will need to mine similar reserves of energy and ambition to pull off the vanishing rare feat in international football of upsetting their Russian hosts on home soil.

“We are separated by two points,” said Trapattoni at his eve-of-match press conference here yesterday, “and a victory would mean we would go top of the table. We play to win but a positive result is important — and don’t forget they have difficult matches ahead as well.”

Nevertheless, anything short of an away win and Ireland can almost certainly wave goodbye to lingering hopes of automatic qualification. However, Trapattoni was at pains to dismiss the idea that a clean sheet — and the certainty of at least one point — would therefore be Ireland’s first priority.

“No, because then you write immediately we play defensively,” he smilingly rebuked the media.

“If you look at the group you will see we have scored more goals than Russia or Slovakia. That is our mentality. Every game we go onto the pitch to win, not to contain. If I only had what you call a defensive attitude I wouldn’t have achieved what I have achieved in my career. That is my philosophy for success and it is simple: score more goals and concede less. That is the way it has been all my life.”

Six clean sheets on the trot confirms Ireland have been getting the second part of that equation right but such defensive solidity will surely be put to the test today when Stephen Kelly — selected ahead of Kevin Foley to replace John O’Shea at right back — will find himself face to face with the threat of Andrei Arshavin. And, though Trapattoni naturally expresses full confidence in him, Darren O’Dea can also expect to have his hands full as a replacement for the suspended Sean St Ledger in the heart of the Irish rearguard beside Richard Dunne.

Behind them, Shay Given takes his customary place between the posts despite an injury scare and with the manager saying he has no concerns about his fitness for the fray.

“No, we are sure about him because he is very responsible,” said Trapattoni.

“When we ask him he tells us he will be okay. I said to Shay what I also said to Robbie: it’s you who are the doctor, not the doctor. You have the responsibility and you can decide. That is important.”

Keane admitted yesterday his back was swollen and bruised after a hard knock in the second half of the game against Slovakia on Friday but the skipper insisted: “I’m fit for selection.” He conceded the situation wasn’t ideal but said his movement was much improved.

“Most players go into games with some sort of niggle,” he said.

Trapattoni appears to think the same holds true for Kevin Doyle who will be hoping his laboured outing against Slovakia has the delayed benefit of increasing his match sharpness after his long lay-off with a knee problem.

As to selecting Aiden McGeady ahead of Stephen Hunt again, Trapattoni said: “Hunt plays well but McGeady for me has the quality to score a goal. He’s dangerous. And he’s home in a way because he plays in Russia.”

One of the stories given wings by local media is that particularly partisan supporters of Spartak Moscow plan to cheer the Irish player rather than the Russian team tonight. All of which will be an irrelevant sub plot as far as Giovanni Trapattoni is concerned. He still only has eyes on the main prize. When Russia’s formidable record in Moscow was put to him, the manager replied that records are there to be broken. “There isn’t such a thing as an unbeatable team,” he declared.

“It’s not about believing in statistics. It’s not like playing the Lotto. It’s all about what you can do on the pitch and doing it well.”

And Robbie Keane signed off with a warning.

“Don’t think for one second that we’re going to lie down and let Russia roll over us,” he said.

“We’re here to get something out of this game.”