The mood is downbeat ahead of Ireland's match with Austria. The Boys in Green are currently three points away from a playoff spot with just three games to go.

But John Aldridge believes the country cannot give up as results could go our way.

The ex-Ireland and Liverpool striker cited Ireland's qualification for Euro 88 against the odds as an example when speaking to Pat this morning in the build up to tonight's crucial World Cup qualifier in Vienna.

But he admits tonight is a tricky game and the pressure is building on manager Giovanni Trapattoni.

But who should replace Trap when he eventually leaves the Ireland job?

"There's Martin O'Neill, there's Chris Hughton and there's Mick McCarthy. They'd be the ones I'd be looking at personally," said Aldridge.

And when pressed on the one name that he would go for, Aldo went for Norwich  manager Hughton.

 

©INPHO/Cathal Noonan