‘I know we can go to Wales and win’

Extricating themselves from sticky situations has been the hallmark of the current Ireland regime and assistant manager Roy Keane set the tone on Tuesday night when confronted with the notion of this campaign going awry.

Keane’s opinions on the blazer and corporate sections within football have been well vented in the past and addressing those privileged to receive hospitability in the VIP lounge of Lansdowne Road in the aftermath of their defeat to Serbia, his words and tenor spoke of a man determined to turn things around.

A caustic reply was retorted to the host’s contention that the road to Russia had been derailed in the past week. One point from six may have dropped Ireland back to third spot, yet the attainment of six from the concluding pair of qualifiers against Moldova and Wales to clinch a play-off berth is well with the team’s capabilities, according to the Corkman.