Staunton: I nearly quit

Steve Staunton has revealed how he thought about retiring from international football at the start of the Republic of Ireland’s World Cup qualifying campaign when he couldn’t get into the team.

But, thanks to a ‘‘lucky break’’ when he got his place back in the team, he soldiered on, and tomorrow he will be rewarded with his 100th cap when he leads his country against Germany.

When Mick McCarthy’s Irishmen 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 the chance to stake his claim, and he has not lost his place since.

‘‘At the start of the campaign when I wasn’t in the side and just part of the squad I had my doubts,’’ said Staunton, on the eve of the Group E clash in Ibaraki.

‘‘Fortunately I got a lucky break last summer and I think I have taken my chance.

‘‘Mick has always wanted me in the squad but for me, after being part of the squad playing regularly for 12 or 13 years, I felt maybe it was time to think about stepping aside.

‘‘But I am glad I didn’t. Mick kept me going and I have been very fortunate the way things have worked out.’’

Staunton is a man who does not like to make a fuss, and he is keen to play down his landmark 100th cap - at least for the time being.

He will join an elite band of centurions including the likes of Kenny Dalglish and Zico, but again that is not entering the 33-year-old’s head.

He said: ‘‘The achievement will mean something in a few years to come but at this moment in time the only thing I am concentrating on is for us to come out of this group.

‘‘It will be nice but it’s just another cap tomorrow night, if selected. In a couple of years I will look back and it will be nice to look back on an achievement like that.

‘‘I have not even thought about the other players I shall be sharing the accolade with, that’s down to other people. I think most players look at themselves that way, then when you finish everyone says what a great player you were, it’s up to other people say that.

‘‘You never know in football. You have your good times, bad times, you have your ups and downs, injuries, loss of form, and other players coming through. All things considered I am just delighted to be playing.’’

Aston Villa defender Staunton, who claims to keep his caps in a cupboard, is playing in his third World Cup finals and feels each cap is equally special.

‘‘They’ve all got a special meaning for me,’’ he said. ‘‘You are very fortunate if you make one World Cup, I’ve been extremely fortunate to have three of them so each one has special memories.

‘‘We’ve had some exceptional times starting with my first game against Tunisia, three World Cups, so many campaigns, so many great moments. There are lots of memories along the way.

‘‘A lot stick out for different reasons, but first one means a lot to you, after that you treasure every cap.’’

Staunton, who has played in four different positions for his country, is not ready to think about what he might do when he eventually does hang up his boots.

He added: ‘‘I have played centre-back, left-back, centre and left side of midfield. I don’t care where as long as I am playing.

‘‘In my younger days left-back was my position but I feel comfortable now at centre-back. I started out as a centre-back-cum-midfielder, and have never found it too difficult to adapt to a position.

‘‘When I move on I will wait and see what the future holds. Some days I think about management and other days no, it’s not for me. We’ll see after the World Cup, let’s get this out of the way first.’’