Sting in tail for world champions is ‘payback’ for 6-1, says Walters

Jonathan Walters has described Tuesday’s dramatic equaliser against Germany as payback for the humiliating 6-1 loss in Dublin two years before.

The Stoke City striker-cum-winger was one of only four players — Stephen Ward, John O’Shea and Aiden McGeady the others — who featured in games that are polar opposites on the football feelgood scale.

So much has changed since 2012. Giovanni Trapattoni has departed and the team has evolved with David Forde replacing Keiren Westwood in goal and others like Darren O’Dea, Keith Fahey and Simon Cox falling out of favour.