Several of Mick McCarthy's Republic of Ireland squad played no part in today's behind-closed-doors warm-up match against an eircom League Under-21 selection at Baldonnel. Robbie Keane, Steve Finnan, Dean Kiely, Steven Reid, Matt Holland and Kevin Kilbane all sat out the game, which the national side eventually won 6-2. McCarthy explained that the absence of these players was a mere precautionary measure and he expects all of them, inlcluding Leeds striker Robbie Keane who picked up a slight knock to his ankle during training yesterday, to be fit for selection for Saturday's crucial World Cup 2002 qualifier against Iran at Lansdowne Road.
Captain Roy Keane is due to fly into Dublin tomorrow morning where he will link up with the Irish boss and the rest of the squad. McCarthy is confident that Keane will be fit enough to start on Saturday after having a conversation with Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson earlier today but admitted that a final decision on Keane's fitness will not be taken until he and his medical staff meet up with the midfield star tomorrow. Despite the injury headaches, McCarthy is quietly confident about the two play-off ties. "I feel confident and positive going into these games. Our performances to date are a reason for optimism," he said.
Meanwhile, defender Steve Staunton has warned Irish fans not to expect a goal glut in the first-leg of the play-off against Iran. "The priority is to keep a clean sheet and hopefully score at least a couple of goals. This game won't be as easy as some people have suggested. Having watched videos of some of Iran's Asian Group qualifying matches, I came to the conclusion that they were a big, strong team. It certainly will be a lot tougher than our 4-0 victory over Cyprus in Dublin last month. But as usual we will be going all out right from the start. It's like a club game in Europe. Don't give away goals in the home leg," he explained.
However, if Ireland achieve their dream and make it to Japan and South Korea for next summer's finals, Staunton reckons it would be the pinnacle of his career. "For Niall Quinn and myself it would be the ultimate and it would also benefit all the young players in our panel. Before the start of the campaign, no one gave us a chance against the likes of Portugal and Holland. We would have settled for a play-off place. Then with those early draws away to both Holland and Portugal, we could sense that something special could happen," he added.
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
