Staunton happy with McShane progress

Watch Republic of Ireland v San Marino live on RTÉ Two tonight. Coverage starts at 7.00pm.

Republic of Ireland boss Steve Staunton believes Paul McShane has set a standard which offers hope for the future.

After last month's embarrassing 5-2 defeat to Cyprus, Staunton threw McShane in at the deep end a few days later against the Czech Republic with Richard Dunne suspended and a number of players out injured.

Facing Jan Koller and Milan Baros, the 20-year-old centre-back produced an outstanding performance in the 1-1 draw and has deservedly kept his place for tonight's Euro 2008 qualifier against San Marino at Lansdowne Road.

'He has impressed me since I saw him in the Under-21s after I took over the job,' Staunton said.

'I knew about him before then, and I've seen him play on numerous occasions. It was just a matter of time that he would get his chance.

'Circumstances dictated he played against the Czechs but he took his chance and it's up to him from now on. But he's set the standard.

'Stephen Kelly, Jonathan Douglas and Wayne Henderson, who also played against the Czechs, are unlucky not to be involved on this occasion.'

Staunton has made three changes to his side, recalling Shay Given and Kevin Doyle along with Dunne, and is looking to build on the draw against the Czechs by claiming their first victory of the Group D campaign.

'To have any chance in this group we have to go out and win the game, end of story,' Staunton added.

'I firmly believe if we do things right between now and the end of the season, then who knows what might happen next year.

'After what happened against Cyprus at least we had the right response against the Czech Republic.

'We were unfortunate not to win the game but now we have to go on from that and start winning matches.'

San Marino have lost all 36 of their previous European Championship qualifying matches, scoring just four and conceding 163.

For San Marino head coach Giampaolo Mazza, his objectives are appreciably different to those of Staunton.

'We're used to losing,' said Mazza. 'I've also a young team from a very small nation. We don't have much hope of winning. That's reality.

'The important thing is we play well and make sure the scoreline at the end is a respectable one.

'Hopefully we can play better than normal and limit the easy goals against Ireland.'