Butler starts well for Ireland

Finland 0-1 Ireland

Litmanen has been frozen out of the first team picture at Anfield but was the pivot for all the home side's early attacking ventures, Charlton's Jonatan Johansson darting into the box only to be pulled back for handball.

Robbie Keane did well to leap above Jari Ilola’s flying late tackle but still won the free-kick, although Damien Duff could not get himself on the end of Ian Harte’s in-swinging long ball.

Butler had enough confidence to cut in from the left wing and shoot, although Jussi Jaaskelainen saved easily.

The youngster might have done better shortly afterwards when Keane nodded back another Harte free-kick. Mark Kinsella challenged inside the box but when the loose ball fell to Butler he elected to take a touch instead of shooting first time and eventually curled his effort wide.

Finland were fairly robust in defence, Janne Saarinen blocking Keane’s path as the Leeds man attempted to dribble clear.

However, Keane had more luck on his next foray forward, tapping home his 14th international goal after 12 minutes.

He probably will not have had many easier either as Finland waited in vain for an offside flag when Kinsella looped a pass into the box.

Duff seized possession and squared across the six-yard area to Keane who stroked into an empty net.

Litmanen tried to cajole his team into action and almost released Teemu Tainio with a brilliant ball over the Irish defence but Dean Kiely reacted quickly to gather.