Staunton appointment - Novice boss faces toughest challenge

DESPITE the clouds of pessimism shrouding Steve Staunton’s appointment as new Republic of Ireland manager, most football fans will give him the benefit of the doubt — for now.

As Ireland’s most-capped player, and the only one to play in three World Cup finals, his credentials on the pitch have never been in doubt.

But his promotion to top flight management is literally his first non-player role and so it would not be an understatement to describe him as a novice in the shark-infested waters of international soccer.