Jon Walters: Six points is job done ahead of ‘massive month’ for Ireland

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Last night’s goalscorer Jon Walters admits Ireland have a lot of work to do to qualify for Euro 2016, but is happy that they got what they needed from this round of games.

Last night’s win against Georgia added another three points to the three collected against Gibraltar on Friday.

Those results, combined with Georgia’s unexpected defeat of Scotland, leave Ireland in third place in Group D, four points clear of Scotland.

“It was about getting the six points this week and that’s what we did,” Walters said.

“We hoped other results would go our way and they have.”

The Ireland squad now face two tricky games next month. They welcome Germany to the Aviva on October 8, before travelling to play Poland three days later.

“There’s a long way to go before qualifying,” Walters said. “Massive games next month.”

Walters was man of the match for his part in last night’s win, but was keen to praise teammate Jeff Hendrick for setting up his winning goal.

“Jeff a top quality player, great at breaking the lines and getting forward and supporting us,” he said. “He put it on a plate for me.”

Walters acknowledged it had been a poor game, particularly the first half, but insisted: “It’s all about the result, it doesn’t matter how we did it.”

He also thought Ireland would be able to cope with the loss of midfielders Glenn Whelan and James McClean. Both picked up yellow cards last night that mean they will have to sit out the game against Germany through suspension.

“They’ll be a loss but we’ve got players, we’ve got a big squad. And that’s what a big squad is for.”

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