Ireland fans can choose to be delighted or petrified at the fact that former Ireland manager Steve Staunton thinks we’re going to do the business against Estonia over two legs.
Prior to the big game in Tallinn tonight, Stan had a chat with TalkSport’s Richard Keys and Andy Gray, the pair of chauvinist pigs that were kicked off Sky Sports for their dated attitude towards the opposite sex earlier this year.
What Stan doesn’t know about football, of course, isn’t worth knowing and although he mistakenly believed that it was the Netherlands that won Estonia’s group and that the Baltic nation would prove tricky opponents, he fancies the Boys in Green to come out on top.
“Well Estonia have improved no end since we last played them,” said Stan.
“They came through the group and did well to finish second, the Netherlands ran away with it, but Estonia were tight behind them. They have improved and they’ve one or two quality players that we have to look out for but, our lads should have no problem if they go out with a positive attitude.”
Stan’s reign in charge of the Ireland team was something of a disaster and there weren’t too many tears shed when he was eventually given the boot. The Dundalk native was effusive in his praise of his replacement Giovanni Trapattoni, but four years on from his departure, he still believes he didn’t get a fair crack of the whip.
“He (Trapattoni) has done fantastic”, Stan said.
“The thing is, unfortunately I had the lads who never had a campaign under their belts and had to bring them through, but he’s done a magnificent job and I can’t fault him.
“They’ve kicked on and were unlucky not to qualify for the last tournament, but the time is right for the players to get to a tournament. They know how to keep a clean sheet and there are plenty of goals in the armoury as well.”
Staunton believes Trap should go with Jonathan Walters ahead of Simon Cox up front, trotting out clichés that he once used in relation to Caleb Folan to justify why the Stoke man should partner Robbie Keane.
“Simon Cox is a wonderful player and he’s a different type of player, but away from home, Jonathan will give us a physical presence, he’s a nuisance to play against, he’ll run the channels, he’s good in the air and he’s a real handful.
“The beauty of it is he’s got it in his armoury to come short and go long, but tonight I’d say he’ll stay up top to win the headers and run the channels.”
So there you have it, Stan says Walters will start and Ireland will win. But will he be proved right? As he might say himself, you tell me.
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ podcast – listen to the latest episode now!
