Devlin: Stan still the man

REPUBLIC of Ireland B manager Pat Devlin has paid a glowing tribute to Steve Staunton, describing him as a “fantastic professional” who will learn from his bruising experience as Irish manager and has a “great future” in the game.

Devlin, who was part of Staunton’s backroom team, was speaking as he unveiled his 18-man squad for the B international against Scotland in Airdrie on Tuesday, November 20.

“Let me put it on record that it was an honour and a privilege to work with Steve Staunton,” said Devlin. “Contrary to what other people perceived him to be, he was an excellent person to work with, a thorough professional, a good manager — and getting extremely good — and he was a very good coach as well. And the backroom staff, Kevin (MacDonald) and Alan (Kelly) and Bobby (Robson) all made it a fantastic experience. Steve has a great future in the game and he will benefit from the experience here. I think sometimes people didn’t get to know the real Steve Staunton but he was a fantastic character and a fantastic professional as well.”