SUNDERLAND’S Paul McShane and Wolves’ Stephen Elliot have been forced to withdraw from the Irish squad for Wednesday’s friendly international in Denmark.

The father of Republic of Ireland soccer manager Steve Staunton has passed away.

AS Irish football continues to come to terms with the imminent unveiling of Steve Staunton, another piece of the jigsaw has fallen into place with the appointment of Kevin MacDonald as the new Irish coach.

Steve Staunton would achieve his lifelong ambition by managing the Republic of Ireland, his father revealed tonight.