Andrews talks up play-off prospects

KEITH ANDREWS has admitted the Republic of Ireland’s hopes of clinching automatic qualification for next year’s World Cup are all but over but insists Giovanni Trapattoni’s side can still reach South Africa via the play-offs.

With two rounds of games to go, Italy currently top Group 8 four points clear of Ireland, with Bulgaria five points further adrift. Ireland finish their campaign with home games against Italy and Montenegro on Saturday and October 14 and the world champions will secure top spot with a draw at Croke Park.

Even if Ireland beat Italy, Marcello Lippi’s side would still win the group provided they beat Cyprus at home in their final game. Only a spectacular collapse by Ireland would allow Bulgaria snatch second spot.

Should Ireland have to negotiate a play-off to reach South Africa Trapattoni’s men may have to face a side of the calibre of Portugal, France, Croatia or Russia. Nevertheless Andrews is confident Ireland can reach a first major finals since the 2002 World Cup.

‘‘It is looking increasingly likely we will have to qualify through the play-offs,’’ the Blackburn midfielder said. “We have got a lot of belief we can do it. We haven’t qualified for a long time, so it would be great for the country. On a personal note, it is the ultimate, in my opinion, to represent your country in a World Cup and I imagine it would be the proudest moment of my career.”

Having spent his career in the lower leagues, the 29-year-old made the seismic jump from League Two to the Premier League in August of last year when he followed Paul Ince from MK Dons to Blackburn Rovers. Ince’s time at Ewood Park would prove turbulent and short but Andrews has thrived since his belated arrival to the big time.

International honours followed his move to Blackburn, with Andrews making his international debut in a 3-2 friendly defeat to Poland last November.

Andrews admits his rise to the top has been scarcely credible and remains grateful that Ince gave him a chance to show what he can do at the highest level.

‘‘Paul Ince showed a lot of confidence in bringing me here and giving me this chance,’’ Andrews said. ‘‘It is far to say no other Premier League club would have taken a chance on me, so I’m very grateful for the chance he gave me. I only got the chance to sign for Blackburn rovers because of the faith Paul Ince had in me.

‘‘My life has changed dramatically in the last year or so. Sometimes I have to pinch myself as to how far I have come. To be playing in the best league in the world is fantastic and to playing for my country just tops it off. I am a very patriotic person and always harboured hopes of playing for my country one day.’’

Andrews’ career has been on a steep upward curve over the past 15 months, a journey to the summit that may yet end in a World Cup finals appearance and a chance to emulate the heroes of Euro ‘88, Italia ‘90, USA ‘94 and South Korea/Japan 02.

‘‘I remember the whole country literally came to a standstill for every game (in Italia 90),’’ Andrews recalled. ‘‘It was the first World Cup we qualified for and it really brought the whole country together. I used to idolise players like Paul McGrath, Packie Bonner, John Aldridge and Ray Houghton.”

And maybe, just maybe, Andrews will get to make some memories of his own in South Africa next year.