Staunton marvels at long run

Steve Staunton could have been forgiven for thinking his Republic of Ireland career was over before the start of the World Cup qualifying campaign two years ago.

But, in a remarkable turn-about of fortunes, the Aston Villa defender will earn his 100th cap when he leads Ireland into battle against Germany in tomorrow’s Group E clash in Ibaraki.

When Mick McCarthy’s men first stepped on to the road to Korea and Japan in September 2000, the back four was Steve Carr, Gary Breen, Richard Dunne and Ian Harte.

When they played Portugal the following June, injuries to Breen and Kenny Cunningham gave Staunton - nicknamed Stan - the chance to stake his claim, and he has been an ever-present since then.

‘‘Stan at the beginning of this qualifying group had his nose pushed out and I think he felt that he was coming to the end,’’ said McCarthy.

‘‘I know he felt that after a chat we had earlier in the qualifiers.

‘‘But he got back in and has been excellent. He was a contender for man of the match in most of the games. He’s been a star and good captain.’’

Then McCarthy added with a straight face: ‘‘If he gets the 100 caps it will be thoroughly deserved.’’

Staunton was handed the captain’s armband for these finals after Roy Keane was sent home in disgrace, and McCarthy summed up the overall influence the 33-year-old has on the squad.

He added: ‘‘Stan has been outstanding not only on the field, but off the field too, in terms of the help and assistance he gives to me and to the players.’’

Staunton’s milestone in becoming the first Republic player to reach a century of caps - assuming he plays tomorrow - was summed up by two of his team-mates.

Goalkeeper Shay Given said: ‘‘It is quite remarkable. I hit 40 caps against Cameroon on Saturday and I was buzzing with that. To think he has 60 more than me is quite remarkable and it says a lot for him.

‘‘He seems to have been around for ages and yet he is only 33 and he’s unbelievable. He’s still performing really well and doing well for the country - and he’s now skipper, so that’s nice.

‘‘He started very young and he’s just naturally fit and it’s all credit to him and the way he’s looked after himself throughout his career that he’s still playing and doing so well.

‘‘If he plays against Germany he won’t be teary-eyed. He knows what is at stake and he would rather get the right result than worry about people focusing on him, which is only right for the team.’’

Dunne added: ‘‘It’s amazing really. Stan is playing in his third World Cup and also playing in his third different position. He has been brilliant in each of them.

‘‘When I have played with him he has talked me through the games and I always try to listen to him and hear what he has to say because he has been there and done it, and he is a brilliant professional.

‘‘We need him to keep going during this tournament because he is doing really well.’’

Staunton admits to being surprised he is on the verge of his 100th appearance as just 18 months ago his career hit a stumbling block when he was frozen out at Liverpool.

He resurrected it at Aston Villa, where he ended the season as captain following the departure of Peter Schmeichel, and he is as motivated now as ever.

‘‘I am very surprised considering the fact that 18 months ago I wasn’t getting a game anywhere,’’ he said.

‘‘These things happen and as far as I’m concerned you have got to get your head down and work hard when you are not in the team. Eventually you get your rewards.

‘‘I kept knuckling down and the most important thing for me at that time was to get out of Liverpool. I knew that once I got a chance elsewhere I never doubted my own ability, so it was a case of finding the right people to give me that chance.

‘‘My motivation is the enjoyment of getting out there every day and playing.

‘‘If I wasn’t enjoying it I would pack it in. There is also the enjoyment of seeing this group of players knit together over the last four years and develop.’’