Georgia heat an issue for Republic of Ireland in World Cup Qualifier, says Brian Kerr

The Republic of Ireland will have to adapt their direct style if they are to cope with the heat in Tbilisi for the World Cup Qualifier against Georgia, according to Brian Kerr.

The former Republic of Ireland manager is in the Georgian capital for Saturday's match, live on Sky Sports Football.

Temperatures have been soaring in Georgia this week and heat could be an issue with the game kicking off in the early evening.

Kerr told Sky Sports News: "The players had to deal with plenty of heat when they were in France at the Euros last year. I think it gives a small advantage to Georgia but we should be able to cope with that.

"We've got to play some football and it's probably more important because of these conditions that we use possession well and we don't just keep kicking it long and kicking it away to the Georgian team and giving them a chance to come at us and attack us with the ball.

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"We know they have good technical players, they like to play a possession game where we are much more inclined to be more direct and play off the bits and scraps of the physicality of the front line."

Pressed on whether he gets frustrated by the team's style, Kerr added: "I think it frustrates a lot of people who like to see the game played with maybe a slightly better mix but it's been very effective for Martin O'Neill.

"We are getting good results, 3 wins and 3 draws so far and we are in a very good position to qualify for the World Cup finals and that will satisfy everyone if that's achieved even if the style isn't exactly gorgeous."