Staunton tips Irish to create a home feel
GORDON STRACHAN believes a rampant Tartan Army can help intimidate the Republic of Ireland by roaring themselves hoarse at a packed Celtic Park this evening.
But Irish legend Steve Staunton was speaking from experience yesterday when he warned Scotland that, although his countrymen have only been given an official ticket allocation of 3,209 for the European qualifier, he’s still expecting to see an awe-inspiring sea of green come kick-off.
Visiting fans will be dotted throughout the stadium after buying tickets meant for home supporters, yet history tells the former Ireland manager and skipper that, as a collective force, his countrymen will make themselves seen — and heard — only too well.
Davie Weir was yesterday among those who claimed that holding the match at Parkhead has played into opposition hands, with many Irishmen regarding it as their spiritual home, but Staunton insisted the fixture would have aroused passions wherever it was held.
‘There would have been spice anyway, even if it had been played in Aberdeen there would have been spice,’ said the man who was capped 102 times. ‘It’s Scotland versus Ireland, two Celts meeting each other, we have that spice about us and it’ll be good friendly rivalry but it’ll be feisty on the pitch, that’s for sure.
‘No one will want to lose it. Gordon has Scotland playing well, he’s got momentum, he’s got a feelgood factor, so it’s a massive game. But I know our supporters, they’ll get tickets for every part of the ground, no matter how many they’re supposed to get.
‘I always go back to when we played Italy in New York at the World Cup in 1994 and we were warned that we wouldn’t have many fans in the ground because there were so many Italians in New York City.
‘Then, when we walked out, all you could see is green, white and gold everywhere with a few Italians in one little corner. That’s a massive boost.
‘I don’t care what anybody says. Our fans are noisy and the Scots are passionate, so I think it’ll be deafening.
‘It will be crucial that the managers get their points of view over before the game and at half-time because the players aren’t going to hear a dicky-bird during that 90 minutes.’
The Irish will never forget Ray Houghton’s spectacular goal in that 1-0 victory over the Italians 20 years ago, which helped Jack Charlton’s side qualify for the knockout stages amid national euphoria.
Victory in Glasgow tonight would spark a similar outpouring of joy.
But former Liverpool and Aston Villa defender Staunton (below) recognises that a draw would be just as desirable for Martin O’Neill’s side after the flying start they’ve made in beating Georgia away from home and taking a point in Germany.
‘It’s been a great start for us but Scotland have started well, too,’ said the man who had a turbulent 21-month reign in charge of the Irish. ‘Poland winning against Germany has opened up the whole group.
‘The way we always viewed it was if you got something from the away games, then it’s a bonus against the bigger teams. But you have to win your home games. That gives you a chance. And because we got a point in Germany we can afford to draw with Germany at home. It’s a bonus if you win it. The way the group is panning out, if we get something tomorrow it will be massive for us.
‘The Germans have started sluggishly after the World Cup and Joachim Low is trying to get more younger players through. At the moment, whoever is playing them now has had the best opportunity against them, because a year from now when they’ve bedded their players in they’ll be a force again.’
Staunton finds tonight’s match too close to call, but believes one moment of brilliance from a striker could settle it.
‘Robbie Keane is still influential, he can nick a goal from anywhere,’ said the 45-year- old. ‘I think the fact Shane Long came on and scored at the weekend for Southampton is massive.
‘Both sides are very similar — there’s no real individual where you go: “This is about him”. They are well-organised, hard-working teams. It could be a drab 0-0, or a really exciting 0-0. I don’t see there being more than a
goal in it.’