Martin O’Neill has warned Ireland that relying on their away goal against Bosnia to secure a ticket to the Euro 2016 finals would be “a recipe for disaster”.

Ireland returned from Zenica on Friday night with a 1-1 draw having come within three minutes of a victory which might have made their task in the second leg at the Aviva Stadium today slightly more straightforward.

They nevertheless enjoy a marginal advantage having scored in Bosnia, although their 63-year-old manager has insisted they cannot afford to play for 0-0 which would guarantee a trip to France along with England, Northern Ireland and Wales next summer.

Asked about his pride should his team complete the job, O’Neill said: “My pride in the side has been there from the start. I think the players have wanted to play.

“There was a feeling beforehand that some players just weren’t that bothered about playing for their country – I haven’t witnessed it and I haven’t experienced it in the two years that I’ve been here.

“Obviously, it would be terrific if we could do it, but I have to be very, very mindful of the fact that we are a long way away from doing that.

“We have to put things into perspective: Bosnia are capable of scoring, they could wipe that advantage and then suddenly they are on the front foot.”

O’Neill will go into the game with Jonathan Walters available after suspension.

John O’Shea, who was also banned for the first leg, and Shane Long trained in Abbotstown yesterday as they continue their respective recoveries from hamstring and foot injuries.

For the likes of 34-year-old O’Shea and skipper Robbie Keane, who is a year older, it could prove to be their final appearance in an Ireland shirt if they do not make the finals, but there will be no room for sentiment in the manager’s team selection.

O’Neill said: “That’s called tough luck, just tough luck. I’m not going to put players in because it might be their last international game.”