Jon Walters never doubted Euro 2016 dream

It was one of the biggest speedbumps on the road to France, but Jon Walters insists that even after the 1-0 defeat to Scotland at Celtic Park 13 months ago he never stopped believing Ireland could qualify for Euro 2016.

Nor did he lose faith when the Scots left Dublin with a point in June, even if the consensus was that the party would take place without Martin O’Neill’s men.

Walters said: “To be perfectly honest, I didn’t [fear the worst]. Obviously, there was that game [at Celtic Park] and the Scotland game at home after. People were saying it was a must-win and we got a draw.