Staunton calls on fringe stars to excite

After all the negativity surrounding the Republic of Ireland over the past few days, manager Steve Staunton was today determined to put on a brave face.

What started with Sir Bobby Robson’s health scare earlier this month, and then a raft of withdrawals for tomorrow’s friendly with Holland, culminated in last night’s gun drama at the team hotel.

Staunton has swept all of that aside, describing it as “a good test”, and instead is eager to focus on the few remaining positives.

But with the start of the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign just 18 days away, and a demanding clash with Germany in Stuttgart the first test, Staunton is undergoing a searching examination of his managerial credentials after just seven months and two games at the helm.

Chief concern is just who will be fit for the September 2 showdown, with Damien Duff pulling out of tomorrow’s friendly with a groin injury, taking the absentee tally for the game to eight.

Captain Robbie Keane, vice-captain Shay Given, Richard Dunne and Ian Harte are out, and all players who would have started against Holland at Lansdowne Road.

Tomorrow’s line-up – captained for the first time by Blackburn midfielder Steven Reid – will be a makeshift one with Germany in mind.

Of the 18 remaining players, half of those have won less than 10 caps each, so it is not only the manager who is inexperienced.

But an optimistic Staunton said: “I’m looking for an energetic, exciting display because we’ve still some talented players here who will come into it more over the next four years.

“We’ve still a few senior boys – which is a bonus – to give the squad a nice blend.

“But for those that are here, it’s their opportunity because Germany is only two-and-a-half weeks away.

“I don’t know if players are going to be fit, so we have to plan with what we’ve got.”

To add to the eight withdrawals, Staunton was also unable to call on the likes of Andy Reid and Joey O’Brien due to injury.

These are troubling times for Staunton, but he knows he cannot affect matters, adding: “I’m worried about every player, not just those who are injured. But there’s nothing I can do.

“With those that are injured, if they come back too early and do it again then they will be out of the Germany game.

“Obviously they are at their clubs and they have to do right by them first.

“But injuries happen. Over the next 18 months we will chop and change and players will have to do jobs in other areas. That’s the nature of football.

“We’ve considered bringing in other players, but it would be unfair to do that at this point just for a day, and unfair on those who have trained well over the last two days.

“Those here are the ones at the forefront at the moment, and they are the ones who will see us through tomorrow.”

After what Staunton witnessed at the recent World Cup finals in Germany, he believes a positive approach on the field is also the way forward, which is why youthful exuberance might just win the day.

“Germany were probably the only team that played with two up front, with the rest playing one off, or whatever,” remarked Staunton.

“For me, it was about who was bravest and who wanted to go and win a game, and I think that’s why Argentina fell down. They were negative and they paid the penalty.

“That’s why I want our players to be positive and express themselves.

“If we’ve got the ball then the opposition can’t score. That’s the way I see the game.

“Obviously they have a role to play when we don’t have the ball. They all know that, but it’s getting into their heads what we would like.

“I have to say, with the way they have trained for me and conducted themselves since I took over, I’ve been delighted.”

Staunton would only confirm two starters – Reid in midfield and John O’Shea in central defence.

However, it is almost certain Paddy Kenny will start in goal, while Stephen Carr, Steve Finnan, Kevin Kilbane, Graham Kavanagh, Andy O’Brien and Kevin Dixon should also line up.