Town quartet Dara O’Shea, Kasey McAteer, Jack Taylor and Chieo Ogbene could all add to their international caps when the Republic of Ireland host Armenia in a World Cup qualifier in Dublin this evening (KO 7.45pm, Amazon Prime).

O’Shea won his 38th cap and Ogbene, who is on loan for the season at Sheffield United, his 27th as the Boys in Green were beaten 1-0 by Portugal on Saturday, the home side’s goal coming in injury time to thwart what had been an impressive rearguard action.

McAteer, who has seven caps to his name, scoring one international goal, and Taylor, who has won seven, were unused subs, while Sammie Szmodics pulled out earlier in the week due to injury.

Ireland remain bottom of their group having taken one point from their opening three matches with qualification for the finals now looking a very big ask.

Elsewhere, George Hirst was an unused sub as Scotland beat Belarus 1-0 at Hampden Park on Sunday evening to maintain their impressive World Cup qualification campaign.

The Scots are second in their group behind leaders Denmark on goal difference alone and appear certain to at least win a play-off place.

Meanwhile, on-loan Town keeper Aro Muric claimed another clean sheet as Kosovo beat Sweden 1-0 in Gothenburg to put themselves in the driving seat for a play-off place.

Blues midfielder Jens Cajuste was left out of the Swedish squad, whose hopes of qualification look all but over.

Photo: Reuters

wellhungphil added 12:04 - Oct 14 Unless I'm working this out wrong, it might not be such a big ask for Ireland to qualify. As a formerly proud Irishman who now wishes his dad was born in Cape Verde, I believe all we have to do is heat both Hungary and Armenia. Assuming Portugal thrash everyone else, and Hungary beat Armenia, that puts Armenia on 6 points, bottom of the table, and Ireland and Hungary tied on 7 points each, with Ireland doing better on head to head and, hopefully, goal difference. Wherever Ireland finishes, I think we can all agree that all three of the other side's apart from Portugal, are worthy of "turd" position! I still dream of the good old days in 1990 and 1994, Big Jack breaking new ground and bringing new values to the Irish game. "We've gotta put em under pressure! It's not going to be easy for us, but it's not going to be easy for them either!" Amazing times...

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WeWereZombies added 20:59 - Oct 14 Scotland vs Belarus was 2-1, the Telegraph described Steve Clarke's pitchside demeanour as 'looking like a salesman in a Kitchens showroom who has the worry that he has left all the ovens on.'
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