Gary Breen worried by quality deficit in Ireland midfield versus previous Portugal visit

For the terror Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, or Bernardo Silva provoke in present times, equally daunting was the prospect of Luis Figo, Sergio Conceicao, or Rui Costa facing Ireland

Ireland physio Mick Byrne, centre, celebrates with Gary Breen, left, and Stephen Carr after Ireland's 1-1 draw away to Portugal in 2000. Photo by David Maher/Sportsfile

Statistically at least, the chasm between the Portugal and Ireland sides of today isn’t far removed from when the last competitive meeting was staged on the Iberian Peninsula.

Fifa rankings are hardly an exact science but based on results, in October 2000, they had the Portuguese at seventh compared to lowly Ireland in 38th spot.