Republic of Ireland 'won't fear anyone' in Euro 2016 play-offs

Jeff Hendrick says the Republic of Ireland can take positives out of Sunday's disappointing defeat to Poland.

Martin O'Neill's side narrowly missed out on an automatic Group D qualification spot after slipping to a 2-1 defeat in Warsaw.

Ireland will now have to get through a play-off next month in order to reach Euro 2016 in France but Hendrick remains confident of his side's chances of qualification.

"The last time we were beaten in the group was Scotland away and we used that anger and frustration in the other games in the group. That's what we need to do again," said the 23-year-old Derby midfielder.

"Losing 2-1 is not a nice feeling. We've got a second chance now, so we've got to pick ourselves up.

"We've lost two games in the group. We've got to take positives, we've got to look back at what we've done. I don't think we should fear anyone in the play-offs.

"We'll build our confidence back up. We've got a month now to re-focus."

Ireland have won just two of their seven play-off ties, although they did record a 5-1 aggregate victory over Estonia to qualify for Euro 2012.

The draw for the play-off stage is due to be held this Sunday in Nyon, Switzerland. Ireland are likely to be drawn against a team ranked higher in the world as a result of their relatively low coefficient ranking in Europe.

However, Hendrick says Ireland are capable of upsetting the odds against bigger teams, and was quick to use Thursday's 1-0 win over Germany as an example.

"We'll need to be confident. We can look back on some good stuff we've done in this group - beating the world champions, drawing with them away," he said.

"We're a difficult team to play, we've got to remember that and bring that into the play-off."