BY DARREN JOHNSTONE – Capital City Press
Niall Quinn reckons the intense battle for the Group D play-off place between the Republic of Ireland and Scotland will come down to which team performs against Poland.
Ireland legend Quinn, who was capped 92 times by his country, is desperate to see Martin O’Neill’s side negotiate matches against world champions Germany and Poland to claim at least a third place finish.
But Scotland, who face Poland tomorrow and basement side Gibraltar on Sunday, have not given up hope of reaching Euro 2016 despite being four points worse off than the Irish.
Former Arsenal and Manchester City striker Quinn said: “Scotland have a better head-to-head with Ireland but their defeat in Georgia has left it open for Ireland to go and capitalise. But it’s not simple.
“Both sides play Poland and that’s the critical game for both of them. There is a lot of football to play played.
“In terms of the pressure, be as cool about as you can and try and build a belief so it’s a crescendo by the end of the week.
“It needs one amazing performance from either country to turn this for them and naturally I hope it’s the men in green that do it.”
