SAINTS striker Shane Long and his Republic of Ireland colleagues must negotiate a two-legged play-off if they want to make it to next summer’s Euro 2016 finals.

They would have qualified automatically had they beaten Poland in Warsaw last night – but instead lost 2-1.

Long was rewarded with a start after scoring the winner against Germany last Thursday after coming off the bench, but was stretchered off ten minutes into the second half with an ankle injury.

Jose Fonte, meanwhile, came out on top in his head to head battle with Saints colleague Dusan Tadic yesterday.

Both players completed 90 minutes as Portugal, who had already sealed their qualification for next summer’s finals, won 2-1 away.

Steven Davis was another Saint to complete 90 minutes as Northern Ireland, also already qualified, ensured they topped their qualification group with a 1-1 draw in Finland.