Wednesday 15 October 2014 15:52, UK
Glenn Whelan says the Republic of Ireland's never-say-die spirit was behind their battling 1-1 draw against Germany on Tuesday evening.
The Irish grabbed a point against the world champions in Gelsenkirchen after skipper John O’Shea’s capped his 100th appearance for his country with a last-gasp equaliser.
Stoke midfielder Whelan, who was forced to limp off injured before the end of the Group D European Qualifier, said: "It was a perfect night.
They are tough places to go, and especially against the world champions in their own back yard with their crowd.
"At 1-0, you are still in with a chance. It's the Irish spirit, the Irish passion. You keep going until the death.
"Maybe if it was two or three, heads would have slumped but being 1-0 down, we knew we still had a chance and maybe could have nicked a goal before that with Wes Hoolihan's chance.
"They are tough places to go, and especially against the world champions in their own back yard with their crowd.
“But it was the performance that we needed for ourselves in the dressing room to kick on and have the belief that we can do something in this campaign."
The result puts Martin O’Neill’s side joint top of Group D with Poland on seven points from three games.
And Whelan praised the manager for instilling a new confidence in the squad adding: "He's a new manager coming in with new beliefs, a different character.
"It's different for us because we know we have got an Irishman who has the passion. He has come in with his own ideas and his own backroom staff and given everyone the belief that we can actually do something."
Watch the Republic of Ireland's next European Qualifier against Scotland at Celtic Park on Friday, November 14 on Sky Sports.
