Defender Richard Keogh laments the one that got away

It was the one that got away for Ireland, the chance to make it 2-2 against Poland in Warsaw and so avoid all the this week’s worry about injuries and suspensions and tickets and travel.

In short, it could have been the header that saw Martin O’Neill’s team bypass Bosnia and the play-offs, and proceed straight to France 2016 — as Richard Keogh knows only too well.

“Of course,” he nods. “I’ve seen it back. I just tried to get it on target. I headed it down but the keeper made a very good save. I’ve thought about it since — it’s fine margins. It’s the little details and the fine margins that can win or lose you the game.”

The consolation is that Ireland do have two more bites of the cherry, beginning in Zenica on Friday.

“Listen, we’ll obviously go there to win the game, for sure,” says the Derby County man. “I don’t think we know any way else, we go into every game trying to win. We know it’s going to be tough. Obviously they’ll be looking to get a good result at home but it’s up to us to make sure we keep the crowd quiet and not give too much away, make sure we’re a solid team and good with the ball. If we do that, I think we can score goals but, if not, if we can keep a clean sheet and get them back to Dublin, that’s the ultimate goal.”

Would he agree with Shane Long, who believes his celebrated match-winner against Germany will only really mean something if Ireland go on and qualify for the finals?

“Yeah, I can understand where he’s coming from. The goal is to qualify for France. If we manage to get there, it’s not just that goal but a lot of late goals we scored — McGeady’s goal in Georgia, Sheasy’s goal in Germany, Longy’s goal — all these factors come into it. I see where he’s coming from.

“It’s down to us as a group to really grab the bull by the horns and give it everything and try and qualify. It’s great for any professional to play in such a tournament. That’s the incentive for everyone.”