Niall Quinn urges Ireland to 'fail heroically' as World Cup hopes fade

Michael Bolton

With two games left in World Cup qualifying, Niall Quinn admits Ireland's hopes are hanging by a thread and are likely to end on Sunday evening.

Ireland hosts Portugal on Thursday, before travelling on Sunday to Hungary, who are currently in the play-off spot.

Ireland currently sits in third place in the group with four points from four games, and will need two big results to stand any chance of reaching the play-offs for the 2026 World Cup.

In what could be the final games of Heimir Hallgrímsson's reign, Quinn hopes that it can end with Ireland having at least a clear sense of identity.

"It has been a short reign so far for the manager. When it comes to that decision, if we are going to give him the go-ahead for the next qualification process, I would love to see a bit more in the next couple of games that we are going to play a particular way.

"I was so pleased with how we played in the second half against Hungary at home. I thought this was it; we have made the breakthrough.

"A few days later, we played as poorly as we did. All that determination and grit and intensity just disappeared.

"If we are to fail, fail heroically. That may in turn show enough where we can say players have got somewhat better and he can stay on."

At a time when long throw-ins, crosses, and set-pieces are back in fashion, Ireland have been known to turn to them for chances, no matter the manager or opposition.

With tall strikers like Evan Ferguson and Adam Idah, and Troy Parrott's strong start to the season, Quinn questioned if the team are doing enough to get them into the game,

After coming back from two goals down to draw against Hungary, with long throw-ins and crosses being Ireland's route to goal, the firmer Arsenal and Manchester City striker is disappointed Ireland did not build on their strengths.

"After the second half against Hungary, I went home and thought this is what it takes for us to be good, and I was so disappointed four days later when we didn't play like that at all.

"I was frustrated a lot over the last couple of years with Evan. The number of times he wasn't fed in, he wasn't played to his strengths, and he was forced back all the time towards his own goal to get a kick at the ball.

"Just spread out, make it difficult for your centre half, play a couple of diagonal balls, bring people up, then you can play your nice stuff.

"I am not saying you do it morning, moon, and night, but you earn to play the nice stuff in areas.

"There is a balance and understanding that if you make it difficult for centre-backs, you will create chances."

Ireland's second top goalscorer of all-time, the way Ferguson has started his Ireland career, he will likely be among the top goalscorers when it is all said and done.

However, his season with Roma has been a frustrating one. Despite some early positive performances, he has yet to get on the scoresheet and missed the Portugal game through injury.

Knowing how important confidence is as a striker, Quinn says Ferguson is yet to find a manager who plays to Ferguson's strengths.

"I think sometimes you need to play for a manager who really believes in what you do.

"I remember when I left Arsenal, George Graham had me playing a particular way, I understood it, I got it, it's how we played.

"But I remember when I went up to Man City, Howard Kendell said no, I want you to do this, totally changed how I went out on to the pitch, and my career took off.

"George Graham was a brilliant manager, but I was struggling with what he wanted me to do. Howard Kendell completely changed it. I became the focal point for the team, and my career went upwards and upwards.

"Sometimes you need a coach who really values what you have. Has he met the right one yet? I am not sure."