Pat Bonner, the former Celtic and Republic of Ireland internationalist, has tipped both Scotland and Ireland to qualify for this summer’s European Championships in France.
Scotland have a critical double header looming against Poland and Gibraltar that will have a significant say in where they fare in the group while Martin O’Neill’s Republic of Ireland have a difficult couple of games against World Champions Germany before going to play Poland on Sunday evening in Warsaw.
O’Neill’s side are currently four points better off than fourth-place Scotland and how the land lies in the aftermath of this weekend will determine how viable a play-off spot is for either country.
“My heart tells me Scotland will beat Poland,” insisted Bonner, who won 80 caps for his country. “You all have to be positive. We may not get something against Germany but we need a good performance, which I think we’ll get.
“We’ll beat Poland in the last game to qualify and Scotland will go into the play-offs. Poland will be out. That’s what my heart says. My head says it will be difficult. These are big games. Even a draw against Poland would be great for Scotland, hoping we slip up, which could easily happen.”
While Scotland took four points out of six from Ireland in Group D, they remain in the slipstream of O’Neills’s squad with the defeat in Georgia particularly costly.
However, Bonner sees very little between either country, although he believes that the experience of the Celtic players such as Scott Brown and James Forrest is important.
“There’s not much between the two teams,” he said. “I’ve always said that international tournaments for teams like Scotland, Ireland, Northern Ireland and Wales is so important to elevate our players on to a different level, to show we have half-decent players.
“Scotland are lucky they’ve got Celtic playing at Champions League level, whereas our guys don’t get to experience that. If we get one or two into European competition we’re lucky. I’d love to see all the Home Nations get there.”
The problem for Strachan and whoever else may assume the role of national manager is that there is no Gareth Bale or Robert Lewandowski to call upon. The individual talents of these players have given their respective countries a massive shot in the arm whereas for Scotland there has to be onus of the ethos of the group as a positive entity.
“Poland have a world class player in Lewandowski and he is the difference between the three countries. He is exceptional,” acknowledged Bonner.
“They also have a few players in the big teams in Europe and playing in the Champions League. They are slightly ahead of us but Scotland and Ireland are much the same.
“But I think Scotland are good enough to be at major tournaments. Believe it! If we had thought negatively back in Big Jack’s day we would have got nowhere.”
It is a massive weekend for both Scotland and Ireland and the motivational speeches of Strachan and O’Neill will be significant ahead not just ahead of the games, but also at the interval, according to Bonner.
“They are motivators,” said the Irishman. “Gordon has created a great environment in this Scotland team and Martin as we know can get players going. You can’t buy players at international level but both Gordon and Martin are proven at getting the best out of their players.
“The team talks will be critical – not just before the game but at half time too.”
*Pat Bonner will host an evening in WalkAbout on 29th October with former Celts Frank McAvennie, Joe Miller and Andy Walker among others expected to be in attendance. Bonner was speaking at the launch of his book, The Last Line.
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