How the Irish players rated on an historic night

Two players share man-of-the-match honours…

By Miguel Delaney

Darren Randolph 7

The surprise was that he didn’t have all that much to do, but the probability is he would have dealt with it. Increasingly looking like a senior goalkeeper this side can depend on.

Seamus Coleman 7

A bright start continued along those lines. Able to get forward much more than he did in the first leg. So important to the team’s intensity.

Richard Keogh 8

Four days that could be his making as an Irish player and also defensive leader. It is so impressive that, despite John O’Shea’s absence, the composure of the backline didn’t drop. That is down to Keogh.

Ciaran Clark 9

This time there wasn’t the need for some of the supreme interceptions he offered in the first leg, but that was also because he was always where he needed to be. Superb defensive header to deny Bosnian set-piece on 49.

Robbie Brady 7

A performance like his first leg showing. Erratic, with so many errant long balls, only to provide a delivery that proved key.

Jeff Hendrick 7

As ever, offered nice play on the wing, while always being ready to fill in and battle in his more natural role in the middle.

Glenn Whelan 8

Showed the best side of his game here, by breaking up so many Bosnian moves and cleverly linking Ireland together with his vocal communication and quieter movement. Subdued Miralem Pjanic.

James McCarthy 8

Not quite up to the levels of his German display, but this was awfully close. Made sure to get close to Bosnian midfielders. Two moments were key. One was just after half-time, when he disrupted their momentum by winning a ball in the middle. The second was on 67, when he slid in to kill what could have been a dangerous break.

Wes Hoolahan 7

If he wasn’t as influential as in other games, he did infuse the team with a calmness in possession that helped Ireland keep their heads while Bosnia lost theirs.

Jon Walters 9

Once again, the key goalscorer, but now definitely the key player of this campaign too. It’s not just the terrific way he takes his goals but also the timing of them. Set up the whole performance on 19 minutes, by taking the ball down and turning a long punt into a lively attack. When Walters is on the pitch, life is so much more difficult for the opposition.

Daryl Murphy 7

Another game performance and it was his work that also forced the penalty.

SUBS

Shane Long 6

Offered the out-ball Ireland had been missing

James McClean 6

So willing to provide the industry required in a game like this, but that often spills over into a rashness you absolutely don’t need in a game like this. Lucky with some of his more robust challenges.

John O’Shea 6

Not on long enough to rate.