Stephen Ward is looking forward to the Republic of Ireland’s meeting with Austria next month after “a good week” in Group D World Cup qualifying.
Ireland’s win over Moldova last night moved them up to second in the standings, level on points with top-placed Serbia, and Ward insists Martin O’Neill’s men can be happy with their lot ahead of the trip to Vienna on 12 November.
He said: “The most important thing is we came here and did our job. We can’t worry too much on other results, but we know there’s going to be twists and turns, teams will drop points – it makes our result on Thursday look really, really important now.
"They are tough games, and if you're not playing well but you're getting results, then that's a good sign" - Callum O'Dowda
“Winning here tonight is great, we’ve come here and put on a decent performance and roll on next month now.”
Ireland received criticism following their nervy win over Georgia last week, and Ward said that the Georgians’ recent performances - with close defeats to Austria and Ireland and yesterday’s draw with Wales - prove what a valuable three points last Thursday’s at the Aviva were.
The Burnley man continued: “You look at the three games they’ve played and obviously they lost narrowly to ourselves and Austria and they’ve gone and got a result at Wales so they’re a decent side and they’re improving all the time as we know too well from playing them in the last qualifying campaign.
“Listen, it’s important you win your home games, we done that, and it’s an even bigger bonus to come away here and win.
“It’s been a good week for us, and as I say, we’ll look forward to Vienna next month.”
Meanwhile, Callum O'Dowda, who made his competitive debut for Ireland when replacing the injured Shane Long on the hour mark, echoed Ward’s comments that the result is what’s important when not playing well.
The winger said: "It felt good. This week has been tough if I'm honest. Obviously we got the result we wanted at home and to get the three points here is really great.
"We know there is a big game next month against Austria. That [Moldava] is gone now so take the positives on to the next one. They are tough games, and if you're not playing well but you're getting results, then that's a good sign.”
