Stephen Kenny has called for a high-octane atmosphere from a packed-out Aviva Stadium tonight to help inspire his side to victory against the Netherlands.
But who will light the touch paper? Where will that spark of creativity come from? The moment of magic? That bold burst forward? The 30-yard thunderbolt?
The Ireland fans will always get behind their team at Lansdowne Road, but to generate that white-hot atmosphere that the manager is calling for, it has to start on the pitch.
Kenny's three-year tenure has been lacking in such moments in the big games that determine qualification, which is why the 2022 World Cup attempt fell seriously short, and why this Euro 2024 campaign is in danger of being over long before the deciding games take place in November.
There have been moments; the two away goals in Serbia, John Egan’s header to take the lead in Portugal – both games ended in defeat – and then more recently, Michael Obafemi’s scorcher against the Scots, Nathan Collins’ fine individual effort away to Ukraine.
Yet it doesn’t even have to be a goal.
The manager must be fed up hearing of the historic encounter in 2001 during the World Cup qualification stages when Jason McAteer swooped in at the back post to help Ireland to a 1-0 victory over the Dutch.
But the catalyst for that particular victory came a lot earlier in the game, when Roy Keane famously went through Marc Overmars, taking ball then man, or vice versa, to really set the tone for that iconic victory.
The captain’s actions and subsequent performance inspired the entire team to raise their game that day, and the packed terraces of the old stadium to roar the team on to victory.
Kenny has said that his side must be brave in possession of the football tonight, and by declaring the game a must-win encounter, he is certainly set to leave it all out on the pitch with his decision-making before and during the game.
And he made that abundantly clear in the pre-match press conference, stating that "there are no late calls, I am very clear in my mind about the team that will be selected, so there are no grey areas in relation to selection, there is nobody on the border line of whether they can actually play or not.
"It’s pretty clear to me and the players, and we are getting ready for it?"
For a manager who has probably promoted more young prospects into the squad than any of his predecessors, the game in France saw him opt for experience, bringing Shane Duffy and Enda Stevens back into the starting XI.
But the team that he names for this vital encounter will surely be one made in his own image and there is unlikely to be many, if any, surprises in the starting XI.
Shane Duffy’s presence at the pre-match press conference was a sign that the big Derry man’s international renaissance is set to continue after a commanding and composed Paris performance.
John Egan came through the France match without any further aggravation, according to the manager, and as a result, the back three should be unchanged, with Nathan Collins making up the trio.
The fresh legs and play-making ability of Matt Doherty will be a welcome return for the manager in the right wing-back role, while Enda Stevens’ injury should clear the path for James McClean to reclaim the left-sided position.
Josh Cullen will, no doubt, anchor the midfield, but it remains to be seen who will be playing alongside him in the centre of the park.
Jayson Molumby was lively against the French, but was subbed off in the 67th minute with Alan Browne pushing up from the right wing-back role, as Ireland looked to get back into the game, while Jason Knight played the entire game but was largely unable to influence.
Both players bring energy, however, as do the front two of Chiedozie Ogbene and Adam Idah, which could be key to the manager’s plans as he expects the Dutch to press very high up the pitch.
Such tactics could lead to a few nervous moments inside the stadium, should Ireland try to play their short kick-outs to attempt to play through the press, but at the same time, if effective, it could really add to what will certainly be a very attack-minded Irish approach, exploiting the space behind the advanced opponents.
The manager will want every player on the pitch to be a potential influence in creating that major moment, whether it is the heart and passion of McClean - away win memories of Vienna and Cardiff come flooding back - or the central defensive trio, who all have the ability to pop up at the other end of the pitch at opportune moments.
Idah’s underage Ireland goalscoring record was second to none, and the Norwich striker appears to be growing into the role leading the line, and no doubt, the manager will implore him to believe more in himself following some excellent play in Paris that just lacked a bit more direction in the final third.
And if one man is set to turn this game on its head, it deserves to be Chiedozie Ogbene, who has been the one player who has defined the current era of Irish football.
The former Cork City striker made his Ireland debut in a scoreless friendly against Hungary; a game that was considered a turning point in Kenny’s tenure following a horrible opening 12 months in the job.
Ogbene has played 15 times for his country since his debut and scored four goals, and while he came closest to scoring in Paris, denied by another top class Mike Maignan save, perhaps he is the man to help the manager around this sharp bend in the road ahead.
Watch Republic of Ireland v Netherlands in Euro 2024 qualifying on Sunday from 7pm live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, follow a live blog on RTÉ.ie/Sport and the RTÉ News app or listen to live commentary on 2fm's Game On
