Video: Andy Keogh and Glenn Whelan on Ireland’s crucial double header

Ireland international Andy Keogh believes that qualifying for Euro 2012 would help Irish people forget about the economic doom and gloom in the country at the moment.

With the Euro 2012 qualification campaign coming to a close, Ireland's prospects of taking part in Poland and the Ukraine next summer are still very much alive.

Locked on 13 points with Slovakia and Russia at the top of Group B, Ireland face both sides in the next eight days, after which Irish fans will have a good idea whether or not we'll be in line to qualify for our first European Championships since 1988.

Glenn Whelan believes that the home crowd at the Aviva Stadium will have a massive role to play against Slovakia on Friday night, while Andy Keogh reckons that long overdue qualification for a big tournament would act as a massive distraction from the doom and gloom that has overcome the country in recent years.

Check out what Andy and Glenn had to say ahead of the crucial double header in the video above.