Shane Long has warned his Republic of Ireland teammates that they cannot lose to Scotland on Friday and expect to qualify for Euro 2016.
The Scots host Martin O'Neill's side in Glasgow this week knowing that victory would put them level on points with the second-placed Irish in Group D.
With Poland and world champions Germany also in the group, Long feels that Ireland's qualification hopes may hinge on what happens at Celtic Park.
"It's massive," the Southampton hitman told reporters.
"It could – and I might be over-reacting here – really make or break how we get on in this campaign. If we don't get beaten there, it will go a long way towards us qualifying."
O'Neill's troops held the Germans to a dramatic 1-1 draw in Gelsenkirchen last month, with John O'Shea pouncing with a 94th-minute equaliser.
