Hull City's David Meyler confident Republic of Ireland will reach 2018 World Cup

Hull City's David Meyler, left, captained the Republic of Ireland against Wales in Cardiff on Momnday and celebrates the winning goal with James McClean. Picture: Nigel French/PA

In the absence of injured duo Seamus Coleman and Jonathan Walters, the 28-year-old captained his side to a memorable 1-0 victory over Wales, but picked up his second booking of the campaign to rule him out of his country’s next game.

Ireland are now just 180 minutes from reaching the World Cup finals for the first time since 2002 and will face a seeded side over two legs during next month’s international break.

All will become clear who the Republic will take on when the play-off draw for Russia is made next Tuesday, but whoever they face, Meyler is confident Martin O’Neil’s side will be joining England at the tournament next summer.

Republic of Ireland's David Meyler and Wales' Tom Lawrence battle for the ball. Picture: Nick Potts/PA.

“When the draw is done the preparation will start for that,” Meyler told the Irish Times. “We’ll give it our all and I’m confident that we will be going to Russia.

“I said a while ago there: Bring them on. I believe in my team-mates; we believe in each other. There have been times when we have been questioned but the hunger is there, you see that in the performances.”