Ray Houghton has called on the Republic of Ireland to be positive and try to beat Bosnia-Herzegovina on Monday night, rather than play for the 0-0 draw that would secure victory in the Euro 2016 play-off.
Martin O'Neill's side scored a precious away goal in the mist-shrouded 1-1 draw in Zenica on Friday but Ireland legend Houghton believes looking to hold what they have would be a high-risk approach.
"I think it's more dangerous to try and play for the draw," he told RTÉ Radio 1's Sunday Sport.
"You leave yourself very vulnerable to giving away one goal. You could keep it tight for 80 minutes, then you give away a penalty or a needless free-kick.
"You might give up just one chance in the game and that's all they would need.
"The other night, there weren't many chances but both teams ended up scoring late on in the game.
"If you are trying to play for a 0-0 that's something you can run into. So I would be advocating, if the opportunities arise, to try and score goals.
"At the same time, be responsible in defence, and don't overcommit players forward but try and create chances and get the crowd behind you.
"They'll get behind you if you're creating opportunities for goals, they're not going to get behind you as much if you're defending all the time.
"The longer it stays 0-0, the Bosnians will be thinking 'we only need one goal' so when you can, try and take the game to the opposition'."
Ireland have sometimes struggled to open teams up during the qualification campaign and Houghton believes Martin O'Neill's midfield selection will be pivotal in changing that.
"Can we create opportunities going forward? Can we score a goal?" asked Houghton.
"That's been the problem in the campaign. We've had ten games and in only three of them have we scored more than once.
"Two of those were against Gibraltar and the other one was against Georgia in the first game of the campaign.
"Goals have been at a premium for Ireland in the big matches and we might need to sneak one tomorrow night because I don't see Bosnia being as bad as they were on Friday."
Nonetheless, the man who scored Ireland's first ever goal at a European Championships back in 1988, believes the Boys in Green will secure qualification for France tomorrow.
"That 1-1 draw has given the Irish players a massive boost and they are slight favourites going into the game now.
"It's a massive game. It's whoever holds their nerve and whoever makes the fewest mistakes on the night.
"I think Ireland will win 1-0 and Jeff Hendrick might come up with his first international goal."
