O’Neill: Germany won’t relent

Martin O’Neill has dismissed the theory, fanciful though it may have been in the first place, a sated German side, still celebrating its recent achievements, can be caught napping when the sides meet in October.

The world champions host the Irish in Gelsenkirchen in the third round of qualifying games for the 2016 European Championships and O’Neill believes there will be no slipping of standards on the part of the recently crowned world champions.

“They will be strong favourites to win the group,” said the former Celtic manager. “They are the world champions and by the time they get round to starting the competition again the players will have holidayed and I don’t think they are the type to rest on their laurels.