By Glenn Mason
Darron Gibson is confident Ireland can get a result against Germany on Tuesday night, believing the team will be boosted by the manner of the win against Gibraltar.
Martin O’Neill’s men brushed aside the challenge of the Group D minnows, and the Everton midfielder wants to built on the victory, which sees Ireland top the table alongside Poland, who beat Germany 2-0 on Saturday, on six points.
Speaking after the game, Gibson said: "I think it'll give us confidence. Even though they weren't the best team, it's still good for us to score seven goals.
"There were a few people who didn't play tonight who will be fresh for Tuesday night, so we'll be all right.
"We're going into the game confident and we're going to try and get three points.
"It is [tough]. But we can't go there thinking we're going to lose. We're going there confident and hopefully if we do things right we'll get a result."
“I think if you go there and sit in for the whole night then Germany will find a way in behind you" - Darron Gibson
It was the first time that Gibson had started in midfield with Jeff Hendrick, but he’s not too sure that their partnership will stay in play for Tuesday, as Stephen Quinn and Glenn Whelan are favourites to start. That leaves just one place in what is sure to be five-man midfield.
"It's the first time I've played with him," said Gibson.
"He's a good lad and he's a good player as he showed tonight. I'm not sure we'll both play on Tuesday night but fingers crossed."
Asked how he would adapt the side for the challenge of the world champions in Gelsenkirchen , manager O'Neill said: “We’ve not talked about it until now but it will not be a problem.
"As I’ve said, we’re not good enough to get carried away but we’ve won this game, scored some goals, we could have got one or two more, but I’d have taken the result.
“I think if you go there and sit in for the whole night then Germany will find a way in behind you. We have some attacking options and I think it’s important that we go there and try to cause them some problems too."
Live coverage of Germany v Ireland from 7pm on Tuesday on RTÉ2, RTÉ Player and 2fm.
