King: I can hold my head high

Noel King’s two-game run as interim Republic of Ireland manager ended with a welcome if unconvincing 3-1 victory over Kazakhstan in front of a paltry attendance at the Aviva Stadium.

King deployed a 4-2-3-1 formation and recalled Andy Reid to play behind lone striker Robbie Keane but a disjointed display coupled with Kevin Doyle and Anthony Stoke’s inability to make an impact on either wing made for frustrating viewing.

Yet the Irish U21 coach’s pride at overseeing the senior sides’ fourth victory of an ultimately fruitless World Cup qualifying campaign was evident from his post-match comments.