Duffy: Ireland have 'a long way to go' on road to Russia

Ireland central defender Shane Duffy has warned that Ireland have “a long way to go” in their quest for qualification for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Martin O’Neill’s men sit top of European qualification Group D following a 1-0 win over Austria in Vienna last night, courtesy of a second-half James McClean strike. The win sees Ireland go into the winter break as the standard bearers in the group, on ten points with Serbia second on eight, Wales third with four points and Austria now in a real struggle for qualification a place further back with four points.

“It’s a good result. We dug deep, they’re a good side, we’re delighted with the three points,” Shane Duffy said post-match.

“It’s a good start. There is a still a long way to go but it’s a good start for us. It’s a tough place to come, not many teams will come here and beat them. We take it on to March now and another massive game.

“We were confident as always, we know we’re hard team to beat. The first half, we were not really at it but the second half we were the better team.

“It’s enjoyable to come in and everyone wants wants to win and wants to play for the manager, it’s a good feeling when you have that. Everyone wants to play. Hopefully come March, we’ll be fit and ready.”

Ireland will continue their qualification quest at home to Wales on 24 March, before two friendlies against Iceland and Oman, and then their next qualification clash against Austria, also at the Aviva Stadium, on 11 June.

With just one automatic qualification spot from each group assured, and second spot leading to a play-off berth, the job is not even halfway done for O’Neill’s team, but in a group devoid of any standout team, Ireland are firmly in control of their own destiny at this point in time.