Niall Quinn urges Ireland to 'fail heroically' as World Cup hopes fade

With two games left in World Cup qualifying, Niall Quinn admits Ireland's hopes are hanging by a thread and are likely to end on Sunday evening.

Ireland hosts Portugal on Thursday, before travelling on Sunday to Hungary, who are currently in the play-off spot.

Ireland currently sits in third place in the group with four points from four games, and will need two big results to stand any chance of reaching the play-offs for the 2026 World Cup.

In what could be the final games of Heimir Hallgrímsson's reign, Quinn hopes that it can end with Ireland having at least a clear sense of identity.

"It has been a short reign so far for the manager. When it comes to that decision, if we are going to give him the go-ahead for the next qualification process, I would love to see a bit more in the next couple of games that we are going to play a particular way.

"I was so pleased with how we played in the second half against Hungary at home. I thought this was it; we have made the breakthrough.

"A few days later, we played as poorly as we did. All that determination and grit and intensity just disappeared.

"If we are to fail, fail heroically. That may in turn show enough where we can say players have got somewhat better and he can stay on."

At a time when long throw-ins, crosses, and set-pieces are back in fashion, Ireland have been known to turn to them for chances, no matter the manager or opposition.

With tall strikers like Evan Ferguson and Adam Idah, and Troy Parrott's strong start to the season, Quinn questioned if the team are doing enough to get them into the game,

After coming back from two goals down to draw against Hungary, with long throw-ins and crosses being Ireland's route to goal, the firmer Arsenal and Manchester City