O’Neill to mix things in final audition

For Martin O’Neill, it’s one small step for Oman tonight before the giant leap against Georgia in Tbilisi on Sunday.

When O’Neill says he regards this evening’s game at the Aviva as “pretty essential”, that description is entirely in the context of recognising that the protracted build-up to his first competitive game as an international manager will finally end in just four days’ time, with the start of the Euro 2016 qualifying campaign.

“The boys who are pretty well assured of playing on Sunday are already thinking about it,” he said yesterday.