Getting ahead of ourselves, but Republic of Ireland looking good for Euro 2016 penalty shootout*

You've got to have hope.

So, getting out of a group containing 'The World's Top Ranked Team' Belgium, Euro 2012 finalists Italy and Zlatan Ibrahimovic's Sweden could be a big ask, but if we do... Liverpool reached the Capital One Cup final via a penalty shootout, despite losing 1-0 at Anfield to a Jon Walters-inspired Stoke. The semi-final defeat has denied Walters the shot at a first-ever professional winners' medal, but the penalty shootout was heartening for Republic of Ireland fans, who saw Walters and Glenn Whelan dispatch their penalties past Simon Mignolet with some aplomb. Considering Ireland's last penalty shootout, back in 2002, ended in defeat to Spain, it is no harm to know the current crop have the cajones for football's most tense setpiece. Wes Hoolahan's spotkick against Jurgen Klopp's men last weekend, coupled with the excellence of 2002 veteran Robbie Keane and Walters in qualifying means we have the makings of a solid line-up for that second round penalty shootout against Portugal in Lille. There is a pattern emerging however and should we face Portugal in a shootout we would want to hope Rui Patricio dives right as often as Jack Butland. https://twitter.com/me_stafford/status/692112350866980865 There was, of course, one glorious exception. In fairness, Ireland players choosing to go right with their penalties is simply an homage to the greatest penalty of all time.