Seamus Coleman and Muhamed Besic to square off in Ireland v Bosnia Euro play-off

Seamus Coleman will put his friendship with Muhamed Besic to one side when Ireland take on Bosnia in the first leg of their Euro 2016 playoff clash on Friday.

Ireland, who finished third in their qualifying group, travel to Zenica on Friday, live on Sky Sports 1, before hosting Bosnia at Dublin's Aviva stadium on Monday.

Ireland have won just one of the three European Championship playoffs they have featured in and face an in-form Bosnia side who are on a three-match winning streak.

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Coleman is fully focused on reaching his first major international tournament and admits he has often dreamed of helping Ireland progress to the Finals in France next summer.

"We're showing a bit of respect - it's too important even for banter. We're not really having banter about it. We've talked about it," Coleman told Everton's official website.

"Mo [Besic] is a great lad and I've great time for him but hopefully he's a loser on the weekend.

"It [qualification] is always at the back of your mind. We've been talking about it. It's that big that you can't really forget about it. Obviously you put your club first for the time being because you've got to play games but it's always there.

"When you come home in the evening you're thinking of France. It's only natural.

"I'd be gutted [if I retired without playing in a major tournament]. I don't want to finish without playing for Ireland at a big tournament."