Edin Dzeko: If you win against Germany, you must be a good team

Since being drawn against Bosnia three weeks ago, not a day has gone by when we haven't worried about the threat posed by Edin Dzeko.

The Bosnian forward is likely the biggest danger to Ireland's chances of progressing to Euro 2016 and he's looked deadly since returning from injury. But Dzeko has been thinking about us too. The Roma striker revealed that he is well aware of the threats posed by Martin O'Neill's men and reckons the pair of play-offs are "50-50." "Even though some players are missing they are still a good team, they never give up and it will be two good game, you [Ireland] want to go to the Euros and so do we," he said ahead of the first leg in Zenica. "Some of the most important players are not playing so that's a problem for you guys, but you have other good players who can jump in, it's not a big advantage for us.

"Experienced players can bring something different to the team, like you did against Germany as it's not easy to win against them, if you win against them you must be a good team.

"I know almost all of the Irish players, I know they have good players from the English Premier League, the best league in the world, they are not 'just there' but they all have qualities and are good players."