Meyler’s Euro ambition fuelled by an unthinkable scenario

Hull City’s Irish midfielder has just been asked by The Yorkshire Post what it will be like next summer if England, Wales and Northern Ireland are at Euro 2016 but the Republic miss out.

“No, no, no,” says the smiling 26-year-old before covering his face in his hands and muttering another ‘no’.

Meyler is tonight hoping the Republic can take a giant step towards next summer’s finals in France in the away leg of the 
play-offs against Bosnia-Herzegovina.

He will be absent, after it was yesterday confirmed that the midfielder has torn a medial ligament in his knee that could sideline him for eight-weeks.

But Meyler fancies his countrymen to complete the job of qualification, pointing to the stirring home win over Germany that last month proved so pivotal in Martin O’Neill’s side finishing third behind the world champions and Poland, as justification.

“This is a big few days,” admitted Meyler after having banished all thoughts, for now, of Ireland missing out. “We got Bosnia in the draw and we would have taken that, especially with the first game away.

“If we can nick something there and come back with a positive result, such as a draw, we will be in a good position. I honestly do believe we can beat anyone at home. We showed that against Germany.”

Ireland’s cause is not helped by injury and suspension. John O’Shea and former Tigers striker Jonathan Walters are both suspended, while Shane Long, like Meyler, also misses the game in Zenica due to a foot problem.

The Republic, of course, are desperate to join three of the home countries in France next summer. As for the other nation, Ireland already have bragging rights over Scotland after edging out Gordon Strachan’s men in the qualifying group.

Considering the number of Scots at the KC Stadium this season, this came as a big relief to Meyler, who lost a couple of fellow countrymen in Paul McShane and Stephen Quinn during the summer following the pair’s switch to Reading.

“You’re right when you say I can’t be watching Northern Ireland, Wales and England next summer if we don’t make it,” says the midfielder.

“Scotland aren’t going so that is good, it keeps (Andrew) Robertson’s mouth shut for a while. To be fair, the camaraderie in our team at Hull is such that Shaun Maloney was one of the first to text me after we beat Germany. He said ‘well done’.

“Robertson took a little bit longer, his was a lot slower to reach me. Mind, I haven’t had anything off Greggsy (Allan McGregor). He probably didn’t know we had even won! He has no interest in Ireland’s results.”

McGregor, a good friend of Meyler despite the ribbing, will have to sit up and take note if Ireland do progress over the two legs against Bosnia.

For Meyler, of course, missing out tonight through an injury sustained in a collision with Ireland team-mate Marc Wilson is a major blow. He is, though, already looking forward to a return in the new year and a concerted push for promotion.

“I go away with Ireland and a lot of my friends (in the squad) are still in the Premier League,” said the midfielder. “It does make you feel it.

“In that sense, of course I want to be back up there. You get to go to fantastic stadiums and play fantastic teams.

“It is a great motivation in its own right. It won’t be easy but I believe we can do it.”