O'Neill hints at striking gamble

Ireland manager Martin O'Neill says he "doesn't mind risking" new faces in the must-win World Cup qualifiers against Moldova and Wales.

Ireland probably need to win both their games, at home to bottom-of-the-table Moldova on Friday and away to Chris Coleman's Wales on Monday, to have any chance of securing second place in Group D and a possible play-off spot.

And O'Neill says he has no problem selecting one or more of the uncapped forward trio of Aston Villa's Scott Hogan, Preston's Sean Maguire or Millwall's Aiden O'Brien to try and add some firepower to a side that has netted just twice in four Group D matches at the Aviva Stadium.

"Sometimes you might be a bit concerned about throwing a young lad into a big, big game," O'Neill said.

"But, by the same token, some young lads come in and just accept the pressure. That is something you will get to know during the course of time. I don't mind risking it.

"I wouldn't have a problem, if I thought over the next couple of days, that someone could eke out a goal for us. There's every possibility that could happen, I wouldn't have a problem."

O'Neill says O'Brien and Maguire have given the whole squad a lift with their excitement at the prospect of representing their country in such important fixtures.

"It's nice and fresh to see some kids coming in, you can see the excitement and enthusiasm," the Derryman continued.

"Eventually, I suppose, you are hoping that over the course of time that these players become fully fledged international players as the older players drop away. It's exciting and you see young O'Brien and it is the same with young Maguire."

O'Neill also says Salford-born Hogan, who only received his Irish passport seven weeks ago, has the natural goalscoring attributes to thrive in international football, although he warns that the 25-year-old's link-up play need some work.

"I think what I like is his ability in the box to forge a chance for himself and score," added O’Neill.

"I think that he can improve greatly on his hold up play outside the penalty area and I have said that to him.

"But he can certainly work the ball in the penalty area. He will have a shot and I definitely think that he is a goalscorer."

Serbia top World Cup qualifier group D with 18 points, while Wales lie second with 14 points from eight games.

Ireland sit third in the group with 13 points from eight games, following September's draw in Georgia and the home defeat to group leaders Serbia.

The Republic of Ireland's Under-21 European Qualifier Group 5 qualifier against Norway at Tallaght Stadium on Thursday, 5 October will be shown live on eir Sport 1 from 7.15pm [KO 7.45pm]. eir Sport 1 will also broadcast the Group 5 qualifier against Israel at Tallaght Stadium on Monday, 9 October, from 3.25pm [KO 3.30pm].

Photo Inpho/ Ryan Byrne

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