Come on!
Ireland saw off Georgia 1-0 at the Aviva to leave themselves four clear of Scotland in Group D with two games left.
It was a huge result for the country who have reaching third place – at least – well and truly in their own hands now. Here’s how the players fared on Monday night against Georgia.
Shay Given 6
Showed off a couple of dodgy – almost customary now – kicks as he cleared his lines. Didn’t have a save or a catch to make.
Seamus Coleman 7
Ripped the roof off a flat Aviva with the cleanest of top corner-bound volleys that stung the hands of the ‘keeper in the 38th minute. Troubled the ‘keeper again after the break after nice link play with Hoolahan. Tried to cut inside every time he got forward and be that threat we know he is and never looked bothered when he had to go back.
John O’Shea 6
Grand. Didn’t need to be anything else.
Ciaran Clark 7
Strong. Scuppered some half-hearted Georgia advances and didn’t miss a header. Guilty of a few dodgy touches and clearances but never paid for them. Solid when we needed to see the game out.
Robbie Brady 6
Lost track of his man a few times early on as he wandered forward. Put the side under pressure with a strange pass at the very start. Came into it a bit more in the second period and drove forward every time he could. He won back a few balls with some good tackles for the side even when the full back positional text book had long since been ripped up.
Robbie Brady #Passing pic.twitter.com/6oUKdmYGsX
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) September 7, 2015
Glenn Whelan 8
Did very well. Anchored the midfield with authority and showed some real nice touches to work the team out of trouble. He was winning ball back in attack as well and giving the side a good platform. Can’t recall him losing the ball in this game.
Probably summed up his Ireland career when he won possession in the second period and drove forward into the box. He didn’t even look to see that he could shoot, he didn’t even want to lift his head. He just rolled it back.
In saying that, the man’s an easy target to slate but, against Georgia, Glenn Whelan was good.
Jeff Hendrick 7
Nice footwork and a decent shot as Ireland began to lift the tempo in the second half. Amazing footwork as he lined up the full back, put it through his legs and absolutely rinsed the next defender to tee up Walters for the goal. A real moment of magic that the team needed.
James McCarthy 6
Meh. Tidy enough. Got himself out of a couple of sticky situations and won his fair share of headers. Spurned two half volleys that broke kindly for him in the box.
Wes Hoolahan 7
The go-to man again. He was buzzing around between the lines taking ball off his team mates’ feet and trying to thread passes. Played through a couple of exquisite efforts that led to chances. Brought off too early again as Ireland closed up shop.
Jon Walters 8
Ireland were so narrow that he was forced to play an unnatural game and run the channels. Isn’t blessed with space but he hounded the defence down and usually go the team up the pitch. Won his typical share of headers too and bulldozed his way in to score the winner. What a hero.
Robbie Keane 4
Looked lively. Looked like he would chase after anything and get on the end of anything. He wasn’t given anything to get on the end of. Brought off at half time.
Subs
Shane Long 5
Came on for Keane at the break. Some neat first touches to bring others into the play but didn’t really get to stretch his legs and should’ve scored when McClean fed him in the six yard box.
James McClean 7
Introduced himself to the game James McClean style with a mincing foul that rules him out of the Germany game. Lined up the full back and left him for dead before teeing up Long with what should’ve been the second and the game wrapped up. Turned a defender in injury time and absolutely hammered one from outside the box that almost beat the ‘keeper.
