Martin O’Neill urges ‘consummate pro’ John O’Shea to hang on

Ireland boss Martin O’Neill has warned that the Euro 2016 feelgood factor can easily disintegrate unless his team negotiate a daunting start to their World Cup campaign.

A hostile reception awaits Ireland in Belgrade on September 5 for the opening qualifier against a Serbian side brimful of talent but low on confidence, and it won’t get much more welcoming for the trips to Moldova and Austria in October and November.

With only the top team securing a route to Russia, and second not guaranteeing a play-off shot, room for error is small.