Sunderland defender John O’Shea has said a 1-1 draw against Scotland “felt like a defeat” but he insists the Republic of Ireland can still qualify for Euro 2016.
Martin O’Neill’s men looked to be on their way to a crucial win at Aviva Stadium when Jonathan Walters of Stoke City gave the home side a first-half lead.
But an unlucky deflection off O’Shea saw the veteran defender credited with an own goal and meant Gordon Strachan’s men left Dublin with a share of the spoils.
The draw means Ireland remain fourth in Group D – two points behind the Scots in third place with four games still to play.
O’Shea said they must target maximum points against international lightweights Gibraltar and then Georgia in September, before wrapping up their campaign against Poland and world champions Germany the following month.
He told reporters: “We’re still right in it but it’s that bit harder after Saturday. Now we go into our next two games knowing getting six points is crucial, then we’ll see where we are in the table.
“In our next two games we have to be clinical, take maximum points and then see where it takes us.
“Then we’ll know what we have to do against Germany and Poland.”
Shaun Maloney’s strike after the restart hit O’Shea on the back and beyond the helpless Shay Given and the defender bemoaned his misfortune.
The former Manchester United stalwart added: “It felt like a defeat to be honest.
“It was very frustrating but we had good opportunities straight away to bounce back and go straight back into the lead but we didn’t do it.”
Ireland are currently priced 201.00 in the Euro 2016 outright winner betting and O’Shea’s club Sunderland are quoted 2.88 to be relegated from the Premier League next season.
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