Bosnia & Herzegovina vs Republic of Ireland Euro 2016 play-off preview: Martin O’Neill dismisses injuries and goes for an away goal

Ahead of what is likely to be a difficult night here for the Republic of Ireland against Bosnia & Herzegovina, manager Martin O’Neill still allowed himself to imagine what the success of reaching Euro 2016 would be like – with a tinge of humour. He spoke of his already-qualified Northern Irish counterpart Michael O’Neill, how he is probably enjoying a cigarette this weekend, and how he’d greatly like to join him, as well as Wales’ Chris Coleman and Roy Hodgson, the England manager, in France next June. Then came the caveat.

“I hope Michael does take that cigarette out of his mouth and stops smoking,” the 63-year-old said.

O’Neill has more immediate concerns, however, and they are not just about how to stop creative talents such as Edin Dzeko and Miralem Pjanic over the two legs. Rather, they revolve around what unlikely XI should even start, because the Ireland manager has a number of selection headaches as the country tries to reach only a second tournament in the last 14 years.

With John O’Shea and Jonathan Walters suspended, and Shane Long injured for the first leg, O’Neill is missing his senior defensive leader and main sources of goals. That greatly erodes both ends of the Republic team against a Bosnia who are free-flowing in attack and somewhat fragile in defence, but are on something of a run, with five wins from their last six games to claim a play-off place.

Ireland have been much patchier, with a remarkable victory over Germany followed by a 2-1 defeat in Poland, and O’Neill is now going to have to cobble a side together here.

The manager tried to put a different spin on it. “Missing key players seems to be the talk of the week but it hasn’t come from myself,” he said. “It is almost inevitable we will miss players. It’s how you cope without them that’s important. In two weeks’ time, nobody ever remembers who was injured.

“That’s the nature of it. That happens. We’ll deal with the people who are here. We have to be ready for the challenge, and it’s a big challenge.”

O’Neill’s biggest decision involves Norwich City’s Wes Hoolahan, whose surprisingly uncertain role in the team has provoked much debate in Ireland. Although the playmaker is the squad’s most technically accomplished player – and was hailed as the architect of the 1-0 win over Germany – O’Neill only really likes to use him at home. The sole away game Hoolahan started in the group was against Gibraltar, the manager preferring to keep things tight on the road.

However, Ireland’s lack of options may force Hoolahan’s inclusion here, especially since Ipswich’s Daryl Murphy is left as the only other fully fit attacking threat, with Robbie Keane reduced to the role of an impact substitute. At the same time, the fact that Hoolahan is a booking away from suspension may mean O’Neill will leave him on the bench again. His preferred line-up will indicate whether the manager will be once again pragmatic or finally a bit more progressive.

O’Neill dodged the question on Hoolahan, claiming it was another subject to “think about and discuss”, but did hint at a change in style, as Ireland will seek an away goal.

“During the course of the week, we have in our mind some things we can work on but, yes, there will be adjustments, hopefully not in attitude to the game but personnel, certainly, and perhaps style.

“An away goal would be great and we naturally want to thrust everything into the game,” he added.

Ireland are likely to face the full weight of the Bosnia attack, with a fit Dzeko back in attack and the home side looking to make the most of an intimidating atmosphere in the intimate Bilino Polje Stadium.

Despite all of that, and with Bosnia missing only the suspended Everton midfielder Muhamed Besic, Dzeko himself feels his side are not favourites. “I think it’s 50-50,” the Roma striker said. “You [Ireland] have other good players who can step in, experienced players who can bring something different to the team, like you did against Germany. If you win [against the world champions], you must be a good team.”

While Bosnia could not claim a scalp like that, in a group where they finished behind Wales and Belgium, they have shown much greater consistency than the Republic. The mid-campaign change of coach from Safet Susic to Mehmed Bazdarevic proved a crucial moment for the team, with Chelsea goalkeeper Asmir Begovic saying that it had restored their “positive energy”.

“It is inspiration and form that will be key,” Bazdarevic said. “We are not going to change anything. We are going to stick to our game.”

O’Neill does not have that luxury, but pointed to the win over Germany. Ireland were missing key players then. He feels they can do it again.