The buck stops with Staunton

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.

Staunton has chosen the former Liverpool midfielder and current Aston Villa reserve coach, who is well known to the new Irish manager from his time at both clubs.

The news of MacDonald’s appointment contradicted earlier reports circulating yesterday that Bobby Robson planned to invite his former right-hand man John Carver to join him in the new Irish set-up.