The hero of Ireland’s historic win over Germany says his goal will count for nothing if the Boys in Green fail to qualify in Poland tonight.
Shane Long blasted an extraordinary second half winner past the world champions at the Aviva Stadium on Thursday night.
This sets up a high-stakes Group D clash with Poland in Warsaw, with the winner guaranteed a place at the Euro 2016 tournament in France.
The loser will go into a two-legged play-off against another third-place team.
A low scoring draw will also suit the Poles, though a two-all draw or higher will do Ireland. Long however, insists a win is all Martin O’Neill’s men are looking for.
“It’s always nice to know going into the game that we have the play-offs, but we’re after putting this position it would be a shame not to qualify automatically,” said the Tipperary man.
“You don’t know who you’d get in the qualifiers – it would be tough and over two legs anything can happen.
“We’ll view this game as our play-off and if we win it we’re in the Euros"
“We’ll view this game as our play-off and if we win it we’re in the Euros, we wouldn’t have to worry about anything else. That’s our main focus.
“As I said before it would make the goal on Thursday more meaningful, to help us get to the Euros. It was a great night, but we have to focus on Poland now and to make it mean something.
“The mood is obviously good. We had a good win the other night and we enjoyed it Thursday night. We were still talking about it on Friday morning recovering, but since then it’s been all about this game.
“They had a good result against Scotland so they’re going to be on a high as well. Germany was a great result, but we have to make it mean something and the only way it will mean something is if we qualify."
Long hasn’t been central to manager O’Neill’s plans during Euro 2016 qualifying and his goal doesn’t guarantee a starting place against Poland.
He came off the bench, replacing Daryl Murphy in the second half, before his dramatic intervention on
Thursday and he says he doesn’t know yet whether he’ll be held in reserve again.
“That’s up to the boss,” said the Southampton hit-man.
“I’m ready whenever he needs me on the pitch. Everyone on the squad wants to start the game and we’re all ready and prepared to help the team.
“Every player in the squad wants to start, but if that’s not the case you’re wishing the player playing in your position all the best, ready and waiting on the bench waiting to make an impact.
“I’m ready and willing whenever the chance comes my way. I love playing for Ireland and I love pulling on that jersey so I’m going to grab that chance with both hands.”
Long says he didn’t remember much about his goal on Thursday night, though he has watched it back plenty of times since.
“Yeah, I’ve seen it back,” smiled the former Tipperary minor hurler.
“The phone was bouncing with friends and family and on Twitter. Someone asked me after the game how did I get in and I couldn’t remember; it was a bit of a blur.
“So it was nice to be able to look back on it again. I remember just getting a touch and trying to get it out in front of me and then just trying to hit the target.
"It was nice to see it go in. The last 20 minutes the clock seemed to go backwards!"
