SAINTS striker Shane Long downed the world champions this week and now has his sights set on firing the Republic of Ireland into the finals of Euro 2016 today.

Long came off the bench to score the only goal of the game in Thursday's shock 1-0 qualifying win over Germany, in Dublin - a result that ensures at least a play-off spot for Martin O'Neill's side.

The 28-year-old's strike completed a memorable night for Saints' Irish contingent, with Steven Davis captaining Northern Ireland to a 3-1 home win over Greece that booked their ticket to France next summer.

Davis scored twice, as Michael O'Neill's men ended a 30-year wait to take part in a major international tournament.

Both men are currently the toast of their respective country, but for Long there is still work to do if he is to join his Saints teammate at the Euros.

Ireland have wrapped up at least third place in Group D, but must win away to second-placed Poland tonight (7.45pm) - or earn a score draw of 2-2 or higher - in order to overhaul them and secure an automatic berth.

Victory could even give them top spot, but that would require Germany to slip up at home to Georgia.

“It’s nice to have it back in our own hands,” Long said.

“It took a good game against Georgia to get us back into the group and we managed to beat the world champions, so it’s nice to go to Poland with everything to play for.

“The worst-case scenario is we finish third, but we’re in for that top spot.

"There is no reason why we can’t go there and win the game. We know we’re good enough to go there and win.”

Long's goal against Germany - in which he raced onto a long clearance from keeper Shay Given, before finishing emphatically across goal into Manuel Neuer's top corner - was his sixth of the season for club and country.

Four of those, including his latest one, have come after he was introduced as a substitute.

It is the second time in Ireland's qualification campaign that he has come off the bench to net a vital late goal, having also scored a 90th-minute equaliser in the 1-1 home draw with Poland last March.

If he is hoping his heroics against Germany might earn him a starting berth for his country, though, he is probably mistaken.

O'Neill said after Thursday's win: ''Shane has come on against Poland and proved his worth, and I think at this minute the role suits him."

Despite the elation at the end of the game, Long was obviously disappointed beforehand when he found out he was not starting.

He said: ''I was upset, but there are 25 players who all want to start. Everyone's putting pressure on the starting XI.

"The manager called me with 60 minutes gone and told me to go on and make an impact. I felt I could cause trouble on the break and thankfully I did that."

Long added: "It was amazing. The gaffer sent me on with 30 minutes to go and you could see that Germany were getting frustrated and there was a bit of space in behind them when we broke.

"That is exactly what I want when I come on the pitch and I got the touch out in front of me and I knew I had to hit it hard to get it past Neuer.

"You can tell by the reaction in the stadium how much it meant to the team and to the whole country.

"To be part of it was amazing and to get the winning goal was extra special."

Elsewhere today, Victor Wanyama leads Kenya into the second leg of their preliminary World Cup qualifier against Mauritius (2pm).

Kenya lead 5-2 from the first match, and look set to progress to the next round, where they will take on Cape Verde.

Steven Davis heads to Finland with Northern Ireland, as they look to wrap up top spot in Group F (5pm), while Jose Fonte and Cedric Soares could come up against teammate Dusan Tadic, as Portugal visit Serbia (5pm).