James McClean: Roy Keane would have killed me if I had missed

James McClean joked Roy Keane "would have killed him" if he'd missed Republic of Ireland's winner against Austria.

The West Bromwich Albion winger scored the only goal of Ireland's World Cup Qualifier victory in Vienna on Saturday, sending Martin O'Neill's side top of Group D. 

However, after the game McClean admitted the words of former Manchester United midfielder and current Republic of Ireland assistant manager Keane were still ringing in his ears when he was put through on goal. 

"If I'd missed the target I think Roy would have killed me," said McClean. "Roy hammers us in training about making sure we hit the target. He drums that into us.

"So when I was going through I was just thinking if you hit the target you've always got a chance. I've managed to hit it sweetly, it's flew through the 'keeper's legs and hit the back of the net."

The away win maintains Ireland's unbeaten record in the qualifying campaign ahead of their next group fixture against Wales in March, and McClean believes Saturday's result will play a big factor in a group he says is limited in talent.

"It's huge," he added. "If you look at this group there's no world class teams, let's be honest. But there's four very good teams and Georgia's not a bad side either. Sometimes that's harder because we're going to take points off each other.

"For us, it's about getting as many points as possible off the teams that are going to be around us. To come away to Austria, which is no mean feat, and get three points - we're delighted. It's a massive result."

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The Republic of Ireland had never beaten a team ranked higher than Austria in competitive competition and McClean hopes the confidence gained can impact their final position. 

"There's a first for everything," he joked. "Hopefully that gives a platform to really believe that we can win this group. We've got Wales next, so that's not going to be an easy game either. We've got momentum, we're top of the group, so we're delighted."

McClean hopes his goal can also continue his current stretch in the national team's starting line-up.

"If I can keep scoring goals it's going to keep getting us points on the board, so it's a win-win," he said. "I'm delighted, personally and as a team, long may it continue.

"I've been around four or five years and only now I seem to be finally nailing down a place and making that my own. You play on merit, by the performances you put in, so I've just got to keep playing well."