Stan Answers some questions

Ireland manager Stephen Staunton offered his thoughts on the following topics at today’s squad announcement.

The performances of the Irish team in the 2-2 draw away to Slovakia and the 1-0 defeat in Prague against Czech Republic:

“I thought the players done okay. The performances were good enough to get more points than we what we actually did.

In Slovakia, I thought it was a definite foul on Richard Dunne for their second goal but these things happen in football

With ten men against a very good Czech Republic side, we were unlucky not to come away with at least a draw.

We’ve taken a lot of positives out of those two games and we’ve two more to come against good sides which we’re looking to."

Ireland’s prospects of finishing in a qualifying position for next year’s European Championships:

“It’s out of our hands. We have to finish the group off as best we can because we know the more victories we get, the higher seeding we’ll have for the World Cup qualifiers and that is a priority as well.

Playing two games in Croke Park is enough motivation for the players. We’ll be going out to win these two games. The players are fully motivated, they know the importance of the matches and, mathematically, we’re not out of it so we’re not giving up the ghost."

The task facing Ireland when they host the Group D leaders:

“We’ll have to put out a strong side because the Germans are very strong in all departments.

They’re probably the form team in Europe at this moment in time and as you can see by their results, Cyprus are the only team to have taken points off them in the group so far. We know it’s not going to be easy but we’ll be doing our utmost to win the game.”

Newcastle United duo Stephen Carr and Shay Given:

“Stephen only started back full-time training yesterday (after injury) and is desperate to play for us.

Shay is in fine form. It was great to see him, after coming back into the Newcastle team for the Cup game last week, selected for the Manchester City match over the weekend.

He pulled off some great saves and he’s probably going to be playing again for them at the weekend.”

The controversy surrounding Stephen Ireland’s withdrawal from the Irish squad for the Czech Republic game:

“It’s history; it’s gone. It was one of them things, it’s unfortunate but as he showed at the weekend (for Manchester City), he’s back to his best.

We know Manchester City are helping him out on a daily basis and whatever we can do to help, we’ll do it.”

Joey O’Brien’s comeback to the squad after a protracted spell out of the game with a serious knee injury:

“The last 12 months had been a tragedy for him. But it’s great to see him back and I went to see him play on Saturday (for Bolton Wanderers).

Apart from a bit of cramp, he had an excellent game. He’s a big strong boy, who is comfortable on ball and is developing into a nice player.”

The recent transfer of Andy O’Brien from Portsmouth to Bolton Wanderers.

“It was a shame for Andy that he got injured last year after the Cypriot game. He never played much football down at Portsmouth at all last season so it was good to see that he got the move and is now playing.

He’s on the standby list for the squad is not out of the reckoning.”