Bonus for Irish as Bulgar defender ruled out

Sportspeak will be tweeting live on the big match from Sofia as Ireland look for the point which would virtually guarantee a playoff berth.

Republic legend Liam Brady says the squad are equipped to handle the expected intimidating atmosphere in Saturday’s World Cup qualifier in Bulgaria.

Republic assistant coach Brady played in two losing two World Cup qualifiers in Sofia during his playing career.

“This is our hardest game in the group,. They know they have to beat us to get back into the group. We know what awaits us on Saturday. The players are under no illusions.”

An Irish victory on Saturday would take them back above Italy and virtually guarantee a top-two finish in Group Eight and at least a play-off berth.

With Bulgaria desperate for a win to keep their own qualification hopes alive, Brady is expecting a hostile reception both on and off the field in Sofia.

But he believes the Republic’s big name stars, the likes of Robbie Keane and Richard Dunne, are ready to make Saturday’s showdown the defining point in their campaign to make next summer’s World Cup finals.

“It will be intimidating and they will do everything they can to win – but we have got the players who can handle it, There is a confidence in the squad we can handle the situation.

The players have been waiting a long time for a situation like this to come around again.

Robbie Keane, Damien Duff, Richard Dunne all want to go to the World Cup.

They want it because it is in their make-up. They have waited a long time to be in this position. The last (successful) qualifying campaign was when we went to Japan and Korea (for the 2002 World Cup) and that was seven years ago. We have been needing snookers in the last campaigns at this stage. We are in a good position.”

There was good news for Ireland today as they hope that Richard Dunne, Robbie Keane Glenn Whelan and Paul McShane will be fit for the pivotal match as the home side saw defender Mihail Ventov ruled out.

Bob "The Voice" McKenzie Twitter: @BobTheVoice About: