Euro 2016 qualifiers: Ireland seek automatic spot with Poland win

“To beat the world champions is a sensational effort. We have reached the play-offs and we can go for it on Sunday now,” claimed the Derry-born boss.

Obviously ecstatic with his side’s performance against Germany, inflicting last summer’s World Cup winners with their first competitive defeat in a year, O’Neill called for Ireland to remain grounded and get the job done in Warsaw.

“Unfortunately we have still a long way to go yet, but it was great to beat the Germans, world champions, here today. Considering the things we had to overcome, I thought it was a fantastic effort by the players. They deserve enormous credit,” continued the Irish boss.

“It was a fantastic effort and Shane [Long] comes on and just scores a wonder-goal for us and gave us something to hang on to.

“I’m ecstatic that we have won the game. You would think that beating the Germans and not being beaten by them at all, the world champions, you would think that would be at least deserving of winning the tournament, but it’s not the case – we haven’t even qualified.”

Southampton striker Long was the hero in Dublin, possibly gaining an unwanted title of super sub in the process of firing his nation to a famous win, but the Premier League attacker is 8/1 to bag the final goal in his latest outing again, having also grabbed a 90th-minute equaliser in this fixture on home soil last year.

Rob Elliot has been drafted into the Irish set-up following an injury to Shay Given during the Germany triumph, while Everton full back Seamus Coleman and Stoke City’s Marc Wilson both return to O’Neill’s squad after recovering from knocks.

After losing just once from their nine qualifying outings in Group D, also boasting the best defensive record, Ireland will look to finish on a high by securing an automatic place for the France finals, though face a tough task with Bundesliga sharpshooter Lewandowski currently at his clinical best for Poland.

Betting tip: Shane Long scores last @ 8/1