Tributes flow as Stan the Man hits 100 caps

IRELAND’S World Cup players yesterday queued up to pay tribute to Steve Staunton on the eve of making his 100th appearance for Ireland in tomorrow’s World Cup tie against Germany in Ibaraki.

Staunton, aged 33, and appointed team captain last week will join a select group of international players around the world who have played 100 times for their national teams. They include such superstars as Bobby Charlton, Pele, Franz Beckenbaeur and Gheorge Hagi.

His Republic colleagues expressed their admiration for Staunton and his remarkable achievement. Perhaps the reaction of two of Ireland’s youngest internationals and players who could accurately be described as apprentices to ‘Stan’ summed up the general view. Said five-times capped Andy O’Brien: "What Stan has done is fantastic and it is a testament to him that he is still playing at the top level. If I was just about half as good it would be good."

"It’s amazing really," said Richard Dunne. "He is playing in his third World Cup and also playing in his third different position. When I’ve played with him, he has talked me through the games. I always try to listen to him and hear what he has to say because he has been there and done it, and he is a brilliant professional. We need him to keep going during this tournament because he is doing really well and we need him."

His manager, Mick McCarthy, yesterday turned the question round and introduced a note of humour when asked about Stan - "If he gets the 100 caps it will be thoroughly deserved!"

"At the beginning of this qualifying group he had his nose out of joint because he was not in the team. But he got back in, he’s been excellent and was a contender for man of the match in most games. He’s been a star since he’s got back into the team and he’s a very good captain."