Midfielder has the rare gift of making those around him look better than they are

Our long-ball game was enough to make it to Euros, but won’t be enough to survive there

If the Dutch projected this iconic image, Johan Cruyff embodied their style in his very being

This team has grown and an appearance at the finals is richly deserved

Martin O’Neill’s side cannot afford to sit on delicate advantage earned in Bosnia

But some changes will certainly be needed for the second leg in Dublin on Monday

Ireland can get good result in Bosnia but only if they cut out basic errors

Ireland work rate against Germany was remarkable – task is to repeat that in Poland

Martin O’Neill’s joy in victory will be tempered by suspensions for Whelan and McClean

I feel we need at least one winger in the team to stretch Georgia’s defence

Martin O’Neill’s squad can still secure a play-off place if they beat Gibraltar and Georgia

Ireland’s quality and clarity of purpose swallowed by intensity of second half

Pace and tempo will be the factors that decide crunch tie, much like in Glasgow

Draw with England proves the overall plan and shape of team should be up to the test

As a tune-up for Scotland match, clash with the old enemy comes at perfect moment

Victory against Scotland in June is now essential for Euro 2016 qualification hopes

We are a sum of the parts team and need all of those parts working to qualify

Brady’s stock has soared again and in McGoldrick and Christie we have found two prospects

Doubts about the vital James McCarthy’s commitment to the cause are unwarranted

In every facet of play Scotland earned this victory – but it’s not the end of the world

Two teams with many similarities, it’s difficult to pick a winner, so maybe a draw is the best bet

Last-gasp equaliser a fitting reward for a determined display from O’Neill’s men

‘Forget about nil-all. We must score to get a result in Gelsenkirchen’

Ireland were professional and efficient against the minnows and Wes Hoolahan took the opportunity to press his claims for a starti(...)

Dublin launch inappropriate and unfair on O’Neill and his team ahead of Gibraltar game

This looked like a proper Republic of Ireland side sent out by people who know what Irish football is about

Playing Robbie Keane as the lone striker has rarely worked

But O’Neill and Keane would have taken satisfaction from all the little things done right

Enjoy the trip lads, here’s looking forward to seeing you guide us on an epic journey

You have to bite your lip at times, something Martin O’Neill’s assistant may find difficult

Noel King’s brief tenure has shown that viable tactical alternatives are available to us

Noel King can concentrate on an attacking approach in a game where Ireland should have significant possession

Noel King’s line-up battled valliantly but gulf in class was always likely to tell

Roy Keane is an intriguing option but shadow of Saipan might loom still too large for some

We haven’t got a man that can drag us kicking and screaming to the World Cup finals as Roy Keane once did

It was shameful Ireland were directed to play the way they did against Sweden

Inability to change when needed has severely damaged World Cup hopes

Most important is the cover in front of our centre backs, where visitors can cause most damage

Another special night for Ireland’s captain, in a very special international career

Ireland should register a comfortable win over the Faroe Islands a proud and lovely nation

The Norwich man could be key for this team, if given a chance by the manager

It was well worth everyone travelling all the way to Wembley

Trapattoni fails to take another opportunity to experiment before some vital World Cup qualifiers

I wanted to see the excellent McCarthy, Green and Whelan in front of the back four with one striker working alone

Encouraging performance against Sweden shows what Trapattoni’s Ireland are capable of

How Wigan’s James McCarthy can’t get a game in midfield is a mystery