The Irish team is peculiar.
After the Georgia game you wonder why you bother, we are miles off the pace.
And then we go and beat Wales away because this team somehow performs on the big occasions
One thing that has been evident in this qualification campaign is that Ireland are missing a natural goalscorer.
As the saying goes you don't realise what you have until it is gone and after all the flak Robbie Keane got over the last couple of years we now know how good he was at grabbing goals out of nothing.
You wonder how a team throughout the 2000's with Keane in his prime along with Damien Duff and Shay Given couldn't get near World Cup qualification.
We might get an insight to that now, Given has released his own autobiography just in time to be a lovely stocking filler this Christmas.
The former Ireland goalkeeper was on the Ray D'Arcy show to promote his new book and didn't Keane go and produce the loveliest of tribute videos for his old teammate.
"I just wanted to send you a little message, first to congratulate you on an absolutely wonderful career. I had the pleasure of playing with you for 19 of those in the green jersey. It was an absolute joy, your professionalism, the way you trained, the hard work and that's why you're the goalkeeper that you were, definitely the best I've played with and not just that but such a good friend also. Delighted with your new book, it's a great read and a couple of pages in there for myself so probably even a better read now.
"Listen, I just wanted to wish you well pal and I'm sure you'll have a great evening and wishing everyone back home and Ray all the best, see you soon, take care, bye bye."
https://twitter.com/RTEsoccer/status/921855776473341952
