John Aldridge hails Martin O’Neill's World Cup qualifying tactics

By Alice Piper

Tuesday 10 October 2017 16:51, UK

John Aldridge says manager Martin O’Neill got his tactics “bang on” in the Republic of Ireland’s World Cup qualifying campaign, as he steered the side into the play-offs.

James McClean's strike sealed a 1-0 win as his team became the first to win on Welsh soil in four years, ending Wales' dreams of a place in next summer's tournament in the process.

O'Neill's men will find out their opponents next Tuesday and former Republic of Ireland striker Aldridge is confident they will be a tough match for whoever they come up against, as he hailed the "magic" feeling of triumph in Cardiff.

Asked how big an achievement Monday's result is, Aldridge said: "It's huge. I'm not getting too carried away because there's a lot of work to be done.

"I have to say, a few weeks ago I thought it was beyond us really.

"We managed to give ourselves a lifeline. It's brilliant, the way it happened. That feeling was magic.

"Martin [O'Neill] got his tactics bang on.

"Wales had some very good players, a good team. I thought it was a terrific all-round fighting display."

Aldridge was impressed at the way in which O'Neill restructured the team to account for injuries to key players, and says making it to Russia would be a fitting tribute to the injured Seamus Coleman, who suffered a broken leg in a 0-0 draw against Wales in March.

"We had injuries to key players going forward and it had to be based on a defensive structure," he said.

"To do it for Seamus [Coleman] after that horrendous injury would be nice, as a benefit factor.

"The World Cup - I was fortunate to be there twice with Ireland and it doesn't get any better."

Aldridge cited the team's "togetherness" as a key factor in their success and believes they will remain a strong unit as they attempt to book a place in next summer's tournament.

"There are no big names but there is a togetherness that we've always had," he said.

"There are some big teams out that. Whatever comes our way will be tough, but for them as much as Ireland."

The 59-year-old praised McClean for his match-winning display, which saw him net a sensational winner in the 57th minute.

"He's been terrific in the qualifying games. He's scored a few memorable goals. I'm delighted for him," he added.

"The move itself was brilliant. It was such a clinical finish, to keep your eye on the ball."

Aldridge's former club Liverpool host joint league leaders Manchester United live on Sky this weekend, and he admits the Reds face a tough test to contain Jose Mourinho's Red Devils - in particular the threat of in-form Romelu Lukaku.

"With the way we defend at the moment, we will have to do an awful lot better against a Manchester United who have some great clinical players going forward," he said.

"They've got a lot of creative players as well."

"I'm not surprised at all that Lukaku's hit the ground running. He's tough to stop.