Duff: Italian job is justified by results

THERE was definitely a hint of an Italian job in the manner in which Ireland went about securing a point in Sofia.

Not so much the big picture stuff but more in the way that the players paid attention to some of the manager’s beloved “leetle details” – like staying down a tad longer than might have been strictly necessary after a foul in order to run down the clock. There was even a moment when, after Glenn Whelan had been clattered and seemed intent on quickly getting back to his feet, Damien Duff was seen to signal to the Stoke City man that it might be better if his recovery wasn’t quite so hasty.

And Duff himself certainly didn’t demur after the game when it was suggested to him that the Italian manager has perhaps introduced a hint of cynicism – if that’s not too strong a word.