June 13, 2015: Republic of Ireland 1 Scotland 1.
Advantage Scotland. Martin O’Neill’s men have slipped up and they have Poland and Germany to look forward to.
For all intents and purposes, the chances of qualifying for the European Championships are bleak at best.
Scotland are in control. The prospect of Ireland even coming third now is but a dream.
“A few people were saying that alright after the game and a few of their players were saying it as well. So it’s nice to put that right.”
Jon Walters had a wry smile as he pondered just how far the country has come in five months. It was almost as if he wouldn’t accept having Scotsmen come to Dublin and condemn the Irish to a summer at home. It was almost as if he dragged the nation there himself on that battering ram back of his.
He missed the first play-off game in Bosnia through suspension. It was noticeable. On Monday night, at the Aviva, he made up for it with the work of three men on three different nights.
His two goals were just the tip of the iceberg of another man mountain display from the most underrated man in football.
But whilst he won’t accept second best, he won’t accept the hero status he has been bestowed with by the country either.
“The two goals were nice but it’s not about one man, it’s not about me,” he said. “There were some excellent performances all over the pitch and in all of the games. I’m lucky to play and I will always put a shift in and I’ll always try to get myself into the right positions to score and sometimes it comes off.”
It came off twice when Ireland needed it. Rather than hanging on to a 0-0 which would’ve seen us through, Walters led the charge and hammered down the Bosnians. He led the charge and gave us a comfortable victory when it mattered most. The sort we are just not familiar with.
Firstly, he kept his nerve for the penalty against his old club mate Begovic.
“I know he watches penalties but I suppose I double bluffed him a little. Some of them had a little kick of the penalty spot as well,” he said of the long build-up to the spot kick. “They were in my ear behind me just as I was about to take it but you’ve got to be mentally strong.”
He ignored those shouts and he also ignored those of Richard Keogh who was screaming for the ball for the second.
“Nah,” Super Jonny Walters dismissed. “I’m in that position, there’s no chance I’m doing anything but trying to hit the target and thankfully it went in.”
Two goals, qualification for France through the toughest group, and legend status in Ireland. You’d think it wouldn’t get any better for him.
Not one for selfies after games but you can't miss one with the president Michael D Higgins ☘☘ have a bit of that! pic.twitter.com/R2EeobeEZZ
— Jonathan Walters (@JonWalters19) November 16, 2015
“The president came in and said a few words and me, Robbie and David were cheeky enough to get [a selfie].”
And of the manager, Walters couldn’t have higher praise.
“He’s been great,” the Stoke player said. “Him and the whole backroom staff. Since he’s come in, he’s been unbelievable for some of the lads. It’s a good management group and a good set of players and a very close-knit group.”
With that, he strolled out of the Aviva into the Dublin night sky. With that, he strode into the history books and, better yet, into legend.
