Aiden McGeady willing to settle for draw against Russia
Irish winger Aiden McGeady has said that his team would be happy with a draw in their Euro 2012 qualifier against Russia this week.
Ireland, who won both of their opening qualifiers against Armenia and Andorra last month, will face a Russian team that suffered a disappointing home defeat to Slovakia in the last round of the qualifiers.
Mindful of Russia's ability, McGeady said that Ireland will hope to at least secure a point as d**k Advocaat's team visit Dublin.
"You would need to be satisfied with a draw, but, of course, you want to win," McGeady said ahead of Friday's encounter. "Russia are a massive team, a massive country with a lot of top, top players, and
a draw would be acceptable. But we want to win because if we win, it puts us really in the driving seat in the group and our chances of qualifying are greatly increased."
Coached by Giovanni Trapattoni, considered to be the most successful Italian league manager to date, group-leaders Ireland will fancy their chances against the Russians.
Trapattoni's team is currently ahead of Slovakia on goal difference after two wins, while Russia are third with three points.
Four days after the game against Russia, Ireland travel to Slovakia in what could prove a decisive fixture for the outcome of the group.
McGeady adapting to Russian game
But before switching focus to the next fixture, the minds of the Irish team will be set on Russia. Having joined Spartak Moscow from Celtic FC this summer, McGeady said he is still adjusting to the football
played in the country.
"[T]he ball is played on the deck a lot more and I think I am adjusting to that and it is going to help me improve my game because I am playing with a lot of players who are technically very gifted as
well."
On Friday, the 24-year-old will be up against his Spartak teammate Sergei Parshivlyuk, who could make his international debut in the game.
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