Republic of Ireland boss Martin O'Neill: 'I would have taken playoff'

Republic of Ireland boss Martin O'Neill has insisted that he is pleased with his side's playoff berth, despite failing to secure automatic qualification into Euro 2016 by losing 2-1 in Poland.

The Irish travelled to Warsaw on the back of a 1-0 win over Germany, and victory last night - or any draw apart from a 0-0 or 1-1 - would have seen them secure a top-two finish in Group D.

However, first-half goals from Grzegorz Krychowiak and Robert Lewandowski, either side of Jonathan Walters's equalising penalty, forced the Boys in Green to settle for a playoff spot.

"Before we'd played Germany, if you'd offered [third place] to me I'd have taken it," he told Sky Sports News.

"We had a fantastic win against Germany which gave us the confidence to come here. We didn't quite make it, but we're still there.

"We're fighting strong, and whoever we get in the two games we'll have as good a chance as they will have."

O'Neill's men must wait to discover the identity of their playoff opponents, though the tie will take place next month.