Qualification hopes high for Ireland

Aston Villa goalkeeper Shay Given believes the Republic of Ireland can reel in Russia and qualify for Euro 2012.

Ireland are two points behind Group B leaders Russia and play Andorra away on Friday, before finishing their qualifying campaign against Armenia in Dublin on Tuesday.

A second-place finish would require the Irish to progress via the playoffs.

Given said maximum points in their next two games would be Ireland’s aim.

“The pressure is on us to try and win the last two games obviously but the pressure had been on us against Slovakia to win that game as well,” Given said.

“It’s just important we stay focused and hopefully we know the country, the fans are behind us so hopefully we can get the two victories and put us in a great position.”

Given hopes the players can reward head coach Giovanni Trapattoni’s hard work by sealing qualification.

“I’d love for him (Trapattoni) to stay on,” Given said. “He’s been fantastic since he came in to Ireland.”

“I’ve always said we are fantastically lucky to have a manager of Giovanni Trapattoni’s quality and hopefully we can keep him longer than the games coming up.”

“But I suppose we’ll need to get the results first but hopefully we can do that for the manager.”

Ireland midfielder Stephen Hunt said his side were focused on the game at hand as they continue their push for the finals in Poland and Ukraine next year.

“It’s important not to look to Tuesday,” Hunt said. “Friday’s massive and we’ll go from there.”