Toughest possible draw Ireland could have got, says Moran

FORMER Irish star Kevin Moran believes Ireland have received the toughest possible draw in the World Cup play-offs.

But he isencouraged by the fact that the national team has often reserved their best performances for games against Europe’s bigger guns.

Moran said: “If you looked at it on paper and looked at the teams, it’s the worst draw you could get – it’s a really tough one. If you look at the quality that the French have throughout the team, we just don’t compare. But, it is not played on paper, it’s about what happens on the night. That gives us a bit more of a chance because we have always achieved better when we are the underdog and the more the underdog, the better.

“But it’s not just enough to rely upon that, it’s a really tall order.”

While Moran is impressed by Giovanni Trapattoni’s work as Ireland boss, he admits to surprise Raymond Domenech is still in charge of the French team after their dismal showing in the 2008 European Championship finals.

“I would have expected a manager with that sort of quality players to be getting an awful lot more out of them,” says the Dubliner.

One change Moran would like to see in the Irish camp is the readmission of Sunderland’s Andy Reid, and not just in time for theplay-off. “I think there should be room for him,” says the former Manchester United defender. “At the very least he should be in the squad.”

Moran’s former Ireland colleague, Packie Bonner, says Ireland should not fear the French. “I’m sure Giovanni, Liam and the players would have loved to get Greece,” says the legendary goalkeeper, now the FAI’s Technical Director. “But I’ve always felt that France might be one we could raise our game for.”

Bonner and Moran were speaking in Dublin yesterday to promote ESPN’s coverage of English and Scottish Premier League games.