Forget about the venue, urges Staunton

Republic of Ireland boss Steve Staunton has urged his players to get Croke Park out of their system to ensure they are not in awe of the historical stadium come Saturday.

Ahead of the Euro 2008 qualifiers against Wales this Saturday and Slovakia next Wednesday, Staunton held his first training session today at the Dublin venue which is Gaelic Football's headquarters.

For virtually every member of Staunton's squad it was the first time they had stepped onto the pitch, even if they had watched a GAA game from the stands.

The significance will not have passed them by, and they now have the next three days to acclimatise to their new surroundings and focus their attention on the visit of the Welsh.

'A lot of the boys born and bred here know what it's all about,' said Staunton, who once played at Croke Park at under-16 level for Louth.

'Most of them watched a (GAA) game here last year before one of the friendlies, but the players were delighted to be out there.

'They were chuffed to be heading into the dressing room and all that. They've enjoyed it, and they're very excited.

'Just as long as we don't start soloing the ball and thinking we can play Gaelic then we'll be all right. Hopefully on Saturday they will have got it out of their system and they will be concentrating on the game.'

There will be 74,000 fans inside the stadium on Saturday, which is 8,300 less than capacity as the terraced Hill 16 stand is seated for the first time as required under UEFA stadium regulations.

With the Football Association of Wales remarkably returning 1,500 tickets of their 6,000 allocation, it means Staunton's boys will be roared on a 68,500-strong green army.

That is virtually double what they have been used to at Lansdowne Road, which is now due to be redeveloped and turned into a state-of-the-art 50,000-seater arena.

For now, Croke Park will do for Staunton who could not help cast his own admiring glances, adding: 'It's absolutely fantastic to be out here and looking up at the stadium.

'The stands are empty now, but they will be full on Saturday. It is going to be great to see the Irish fans in here waving flags and going mad.'

What is particularly noticeable are the dimensions of the pitch - 40 metres shorter in length, and around 20 metres less in width.

'As we know Gaelic pitches are a lot longer and wider. There's a hell of a difference,' remarked Staunton. 'But I think they are putting advertising boards around, so that will bring it in a bit.

'As for the pitch, it is no different to what they're used to in England, although they can't wear their blades (studs).

'Certainly, it's better than Lansdowne Road at this time of year, and it will be a lot better on Saturday. It's a little ropey after the rugby, but nothing we've not dealt with before. The people here will make sure it's okay by Saturday.'

Staunton has called up Birmingham goalkeeper Colin Doyle as Wayne Henderson, who has played in two of the last three matches due to injuries to Shay Given, is out with a finger ligament problem.

Centre-back Paul McShane is due to train on Thursday after sustaining an ankle ligament injury in West Brom's 1-1 draw with the Blues on Sunday.

Midfielder Stephen Ireland joins up with the squad tomorrow after staying behind with Manchester City for treatment on his own ankle injury.

Staunton has confirmed Reading's Stephen Hunt 'will be okay for the weekend' despite a painful instep.