Cutting out the basic mistakes will be key to success for Ireland in their upcoming matches against England and Scotland according to former international, Ray Houghton.

The ex-Liverpool midfielder believes that Ireland proved how good a side they can be in the second half of their Euro qualifier draw with Poland in March.

"Cutting out the basic mistakes and if we can do that as we proved against Poland in the second half we can be a very good side and we can win matches. But we have to erase those silly mistakes that's costing goals," Houghton said.

Houghton continued, recalling his stunning winning header against England in Euro 88', but says that Ireland never feared their bitter rivals despite having the odds stacked against them constantly.

Ray Houghton scores the winning header against England in Euro 88' in West Germany.

"It was fantastic (the winning goal) and you know I reckon the games against England was very very good in recent years. I know we haven't played them that often but we never feared England when we played against them, you know even though everyone expected them to win, everyone outside of Ireland expected them to win," Ray said.

Despite the huge hype surrounding Sunday's international friendly with England, Houghton believes that the next European qualifier against Scotland still remains the most important of the two.

"There's no doubt that the biggest game is the Scotland one. You know this is the precursor to the game that really matters there's no points at stake against England it's only pride. Whereas when you play against Scotland you know this is when it's really on the line for the lads, because they know if they lose that the chances of qualification would be all but gone," Ray said.

You can listen to the full interview with Ray below: