I DIDN’T THINK ANY OF THIS WOULD EVER O-KERR AGAIN

BRIAN KERR has described his return to the Ireland international set-up as “emotional”.

The former underage and senior manager (above), who won European titles at Under-16 and Under-18 level, hadn’t worked in the FAI since late 2005.

Tonight’s opponents Switzerland were the last side he faced as boss, before the Association, under the leadership of John Delaney, opted against renewing his contract.

Kerr was brought on board as a technical advisor to interim boss John O’shea and he said: “I suppose in some ways it’s been quite emotional, really.

“I didn’t see myself in that situation that I was in on Saturday, going to the game on the team bus and going in the team entrance with the team.

“I didn’t actually see that coming around in my time in football again.

“So that part of it was quite emotional, and being involved with the players and the staff.

“But this is not about me, it’s about trying to help out when asked in a period of Irish football that has probably been a little bit difficult lately.

“And I was offered the opportunity to try to help out for just this brief period of time, to give John and his staff a dig out, and the Association, and whatever knowledge and experience I have, if it’s of benefit to John and the lads I’m more than thankful to be given the opportunity to give that little bit of knowledge to the lads.

“But as I said earlier, I don’t think they need an awful lot of help.”

Reflecting on the scoreless draw with Belgium last Saturday and its implications on the starting team tonight, he said: “I think the performance of the players the other day makes the team selection quite difficult for him.

“The team played so well it would be quite easy to go with the same starting 11 again, but I know that’s not going to be the case.”