Walking on Herr

GERMAN team manager Oliver Bierhoff has given Steve Staunton his stamp of approval by claiming the Irish manager has earned the right to guide his country through the 2010 World Cup qualifiers.

The present campaign has thrown up more highs and lows than an Alpine ski resort for the Irish side and though Austria and Switzerland are now out of sight, they managed some measure of consistency in their dealings with the group favourites.

Only a deflected free-kick deprived Staunton of a point in Stuttgart in what was his first competitive match in charge and the Louth man’s side were full value for their point on Saturday night.