Ray Houghton says last night was the best atmosphere he has ever experienced for a football match at the redeveloped Lansdowne Road.
The former Ireland star featured in many a famous victory at the old ground in Dublin 4 before it was rebuilt as the Aviva Stadium, since when the Boys in Green have had indifferent form on home turf.
Last night, Ireland recovered from a goal down and an uninspiring first half to salvage a draw with a stoppage-time Shane Long goal in their Euro 2016 Group D qualifier against Poland.
"I think the pace of the game was a bit slow in the first half," Houghton told Oisin Langan and Ivan Yates on Newstalk's Breakfast.
"The tempo in the second half was much quicker. The players put the ball forward into good areas, put a lot more crosses into the box ... pressured the Polish defence and ultimately got the goal that we deserved.
"I thought the second half we were by far the better side."
Well done #Ireland! Great atmosphere in packed #AvivaStadium for #IREVPOL tonight. #COYBIG #PolskaEire2015 pic.twitter.com/NGHSkdTKI3
— Irish Embassy Warsaw (@IrlEmbWarsaw) March 29, 2015
The former Liverpool midfielder added: "It's the best atmosphere I've heard at the Aviva for a football match. I thought it was an incredible night that way and the fans really helped the players, and the players kept going and got the goal from Shane Long in the end."
"I was delighted with the second half and hopefully we can play with that same spirit and determination and desire when we play against Scotland."
