As the man who scored two of the most iconic goals in Irish history, Ray Houghton is better versed than most on what it takes to make priceless footballing memories.

The former Liverpool man experienced many highs during the course of his 73 caps for the Boys in Green. But the two stand out moments he will be forever be associated with are his header that beat Peter Shilton in the England goal in 1988 and his chip over Italian keeper Gianluca Pagliuca in the Giants Stadium in New York six years later.

The Republic of Ireland face a date with destiny on Thursday as they head to Prague to take on Czechia in the play-off semi-final as they look to book their flights to North America for a long overdue to a return to the biggest international stage. And Houghton told Dublin Live the current squad will become “heroes forever” if they manage to overcome the Czechs and either Denmark or North Macedonia to reach the country’s first World Cup in 24 years.

He said: “What’s on offer for them to qualify for the World Cup, from where they’ve been. Largely they were being criticised as not good enough…to where they can qualify for the World Cup where they’re going to be heroes forever in their careers, is such a massive jump and it’s one that they’re hopefully ready to take. They’ll walk around and they’ll be so ecstatic about it and they’ll be forever remembered as a squad that went and represented their country at the biggest tournament in world football.”

Houghton, who was speaking on behalf of NetBet football betting, added that qualification for the biggest tournament on the global football calendar is all about making the “best memories” for the players and fans. “I’ve got people still coming up to me now who say to me, ‘I remember being in the away end in 1988’, ‘I remember being in Italy in 1990 and the World Cup in 1994’,” he said.

Ray Houghton(Image: INPHO/James Crombie)

“And that’s memories. They’ve got memories I’ve got and it’s something to behold, it’s something to hold on to, something to believe in. It’s something to be really happy about and hopefully these lads will have the same sort of memories as I’ve got and all the players I’ve played with. All the ones that have represented their country, have gone to major tournaments and have done everything in their power to make the country proud of what we’re trying to do.”

Manager Heimir Hallgrimsson will have to plan without some key players for the crunch tie with Evan Ferguson and Josh Cullen out with long term injuries that would also see them miss the tournament in the US, Canada and Mexico should Ireland make it.

“They’re players that you would love to have in the squad,” said Houghton. “They’ve had an effect on the team in the past but that’s going to happen. The manager will have legislated for that, that he’s going to lose one or two.

“You couldn’t have kept everyone fully fit but he’ll just have to have a plan in place for what he wants to do going into this game, because you can’t carry players. You must have 10 fit outfield players all raring to go and that’s hugely important.”

The Republic of Ireland will take on Czechia in Prague at 7:45pm on Thursday, March 26. Should they make it through that tie, they will face either Denmark or North Macedonia at the Aviva Stadium on Tuesday, March 31 for the chance to seal a spot at the 2026 World Cup.

Want to see more of the stories you love from Dublin Live? Making us your preferred source on Google means you’ll get more of our exclusives, top stories and must-read content straight away. To add Dublin Live as a preferred source, simply click here.