Anderson praises 'superb' Dunne

Republic of Ireland defender Richard Dunne has been told to keep doing what he is doing after being compared favourably to the legendary Paul McGrath.

The 29-year-old Manchester City star was a rock for Ireland in Bulgaria on Saturday night, despite having an injection in his knee before the game after missing several days' training.

Both his bravery and his performance at the Vasil Levski Stadium prompted captain Robbie Keane and goalkeeper Shay Given to mention him in the same breath as McGrath afterwards.

However, former international John Anderson, who played alongside McGrath for his country, has advised Dunne simply to play his own game and not feel under pressure to match the exploits of one of his most celebrated predecessors.

Anderson said: "It's a big, big pair of shoes to fill, and that's taking nothing away from Richard Dunne.

"Richard Dunne in recent games for Ireland has been superb. He never lets you down and has a great level of consistency.

"He is one of those players who must be a manager's dream, someone you don't have to worry about what he will do for you.

"But it's very, very unfair to compare him to Paul McGrath. You have got to remember Paul played a lot of football for Ireland in midfield, and I don't think Richard could do that.

"It's a different era as well and Paul was a very, very special player.

"Richard Dunne is very, very good at what he does. He's an exceptional centre-back and a good leader.

"He's the type of lad who knows what he is capable of doing. He doesn't complicate it.

"He loves heading it, he loves tackling, he will pass it simply and he chips in with important goals."

Part of McGrath's legend was that, towards the end of his career - which took him from St Patrick's Athletic to the likes of Manchester United and Aston Villa - he could barely train because of injury and well-documented personal problems, yet still turned in exemplary performances.

It was perhaps Dunne's willingness to put his body on the line, both in declaring himself fit and then tenaciously defending his goal, which caught the eye of Keane and Given, and Anderson too praised his commitment.

He said: "It was his last game of the season and he didn't have to come back and worry about playing for his club on Saturday.

"He did a great job and now he has the summer to get over it."

Saturday's 1-1 draw in Sofia leaves Ireland a point adrift of Group Eight leaders Italy, who have played a game less, but five ahead of the Bulgarians, who also have a game in hand.

Anderson knows just how important victory in Bulgaria could have been, and how costly the Kevin Kilbane error which allowed Dimitar Telkiyski to cancel out Dunne's opener might prove to his country's chances of clinching automatic qualification with the Italians still to visit Croke Park.

He said: "Those three points would have been so important. You would have fancied your chances then.

"There's no doubt about it, they are very, very good at doing what they are doing, grinding out results away from home.

"But if it comes down to the situation where you have got Italy coming to Croke Park and you are two points behind them, he [manager Giovanni Trapattoni] would have to totally change his outlook to the game and try to be more positive about it if only a win is good enough."