Aldridge gets Cascarino backing

John Aldridge has received the backing of fellow former Republic striker Tony Cascarino for the post of Ireland manager.

“For me, Aldridge would be the best choice, perhaps alongside Ray Houghton (who played with Aldridge for Liverpool and Ireland),” he said.

“Aldridge did well with no money at Tranmere, he’s very enthusiastic about the game and he has a good relationship with the players.

“Above all, Aldridge and Keane get on and Keane couldn’t label the same accusations about him not winning any trophies as he did against McCarthy.”

Cascarino was less convinced of the qualities of O’Leary and Kinnear.

“O’Leary is an ambitious man but, in a strange way, I could see him using the post, perhaps only as a part-time manager, as a vehicle for greater things,” he added in his newspaper column.

“He would take credit for bringing Keane back, maybe enjoy some good results and then take a Premiership job. I can’t see he would want the Ireland job more than the short-term.

“Joe Kinnear is an experienced manager but his time has gone.”