The rest, as they say, is hysteria

YOUR STARTER for ten: identify the prominent Irish football personality who offers this considered analysis of the managerial succession stakes.

“Far be it from me to select a manager for Ireland, but then again other people have selected managers for Ireland who had no qualifications whatsoever,” he laughs. “But the qualities that you want as a manager would be desire, commitment, knowledge of the game, knowledge of different players, knowledge of world football. And a commitment to doing the job without fear or favour.

“I think, in a fair few respects, Roy (Keane) would have them. He would undoubtedly get the respect of players. It’s interesting that he’s been doing his coaching badges and taking steps along that road, but it’s a much different job to being a player. Club management or international management is so different from being a player that it’s a shock.