Irish ‘desperate’ to gain six points for play-off slot

Republic of Ireland captain Robbie Keane is convinced there is another twist to come as the Euro 2012 qualifying campaign reaches the point of no return.

Ireland head into tonight’s Group B game with minnows Andorra knowing a maximum haul from that game and Tuesday night’s visit of Armenia to the Aviva Stadium will guarantee them a play-off place at worst.

However, should Slovakia beat leaders Russia in Zilina this evening, six points would send Giovanni Trapattoni’s men to next summer’s finals in Poland and Ukraine.

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Keane said: “These two games are huge and we have come into them desperate to get the six points to guarantee the play-off.

“But I still think there is a twist here somewhere along the line – and I hope it’s not for us. Hopefully, Slovakia can do us a favour. We need to concentrate on our own job and getting six points, focus on (tonight’s) game and getting three points and getting ourselves out of here and looking forward to Tuesday.

“At the start of the campaign, this is what you play for, to be in positions like this. Before the campaign, a lot of people would have probably accepted this, but there is still a little twist, I think.”