John O'Shea: 'Qualification not impossible'

John O'Shea has refused to believe that the Republic of Ireland cannot qualify for Euro 2016 after Saturday's 1-1 draw at home to Scotland.

Their hopes suffered a blow when Shaun Maloney's goal early in the second half cancelled out Jonathan Walters's first-half opener in Dublin to leave them fourth in Group D, five points behind leaders Poland.

Martin O'Neill's side face Gibraltar and Georgia early in September, and O'Shea says that six points is a must if they are to reach France for the finals next summer.

"Look it, more than likely we're going to need something like that now but ultimately if we get the six points from our next two games," he told the Irish Times.

"We'll see what happens with the other teams and we'll know then what we have to do against Poland and Germany."

Ireland have qualified for just one major competition - Euro 2012 - since the World Cup in 2002.