‘There were fires all over the terraces. It was surreal’

Former Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy has revealed that the memory of guiding the country to the World Cup finals still burns as brightly as the fires that illuminated the night sky in Tehran following their triumph in Iran.

On the eve of Ireland’s World Cup play-off first leg against Denmark, McCarthy has reflected on the “bizarre” events in the Iranian capital when Ireland earned their place at the 2002 finals.

The Republic of Ireland earned a place in the World Cup finals in after home and away matches against Iran. Ireland emerged triumphant with a 2-1 aggregate win.