Mitrovic: We deserve to be in first place

Alexsandar Mitrovic has no intention of his Newcastle United teammate Ciaran Clark stopping Serbia’s surge toward the next World Cup when Serbia visit Lansdowne Road tomorrow.

The 22-year-old’s eighth goal in his last 10 matches was Serbia’s final one of a 3-0 victory over Moldova on Saturday which leaves them with a direct route to Russia.

Only an Ireland victory will untangle the predicament the weekend draw against Georgia caused Martin O’Neill’s men yet, conversely, three points for the visitors all but settles top spot with next month’s double-headers to spare.