Martin O’Neill: I’d take a favour from Poland

Should Poland do Ireland the inestimable favour of eliminating Scotland by beating them in Hampden Park on Thursday night, then Martin O’Neill’s team will be certain of qualifying for a European Championship play-off place, even if they were to suffer successive defeats in their last two group games at home to Germany and away to Poland.

While that would scarcely be the most glorious way of going about it, Martin O’Neill was not shy yesterday about admitting he’ll happily take anything on offer so long as Ireland are still in contention for Euro 2016 in November. “If you were saying would I take the play-offs now, there’s no point in beating around the bush — yeah,” he said. “Whatever way you get into the play-offs, I’d take getting into the play-offs, regardless of who we play.”

O’Neill regards the Germany team which comes to the Aviva on Thursday as a stronger proposition than the side which was held to a 1-1 draw by Ireland in Gelsenkirchen 12 months ago.