Cyrus Christie backs Ireland to perform in crucial qualifiers
Wednesday 4 October 2017 22:33, UK
Cyrus Christie insists the Republic of Ireland are not feeling any added pressure despite the importance of their final two World Cup Qualifiers.
Ireland dropped to third in Group D following last month's home defeat to Serbia and must beat Moldova and Wales in their two remaining fixtures to stand any chance of qualifying for Russia next summer.
Ireland have yet to win a competitive fixture in 2017, their last victory coming against Austria last November, but Christie is confident they can finish with a flourish.
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"We know from the get-go what we have to," said the Middlesbrough defender. "We've been in this situation before and people have wrote us off.
"We'll go into the game with the belief that we can do it. We've got two games and it's do or die.
"Straight away after the Serbia game it was mentioned that we have gone into big games and pulled it off. Look at the Germany and Italy games [which Ireland won 1-0]; we've been in these situations before and can thrive on that."
Sean Maguire could make his Ireland debut in Friday's game against Moldova, live on Sky Sports Football from 7.15pm, and his Preston team-mate Daryl Horgan is backing the forward to make the step up to international level.
Maguire joined the Lilywhites in August after a free-scoring season for Cork City and has quickly settled into English football.
"I think [he's ready]," said Horgan, who admitted his lack of game time for Preston could prevent him from making his competitive bow.
"It's a step up, everyone knows that, but he's done really well since he's come in. He has really hit the ground running.
"He has played in most games and has scored a couple of goals. He's playing out of position, which isn't easy, but he's been excellent."
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Should Ireland defeat Moldova it will set up a winner-takes-all clash with Wales in Cardiff on Monday.
Gareth Bale has been ruled out for Wales due to injury but Horgan says they remain a strong side even without the Real Madrid star.
"They have a very good squad regardless," he said. "They will still be strong and you can't worry about him not playing as they have other good players."
