Marc Wilson: 'Republic of Ireland need to play through the middle'

Marc Wilson has said that the Republic of Ireland need to focus on playing the ball through midfield rather than relying on the long ball.

Giovanni Trapattoni's side lost to Sweden on Friday, all but ending their chances of qualifying for next summer's World Cup in Brazil.

The defender told Sky Sports News: "I think we need to play through the middle a bit more and pass the ball to create chances for us to go forward more.

"Of course, I am allowed to go forward but I don't think we get in enough positions to get ourselves forward. The lads were absolutely devastated after the game.

"First half, I thought we played all right. Second half, I don't think we played well enough to get a result from the game. We know we have got to go to Austria now and get the win."

Ireland face Austria in Vienna on Tuesday.

Written by
Sian Cowper