Staunton eyes Irish renaissance

Looking forward
Accordingly, the 36-year-old intends to pluck positive elements from the past to drive the Ireland side into the future. Formally unveiled to the media in Dublin on Monday, along with his backroom team of Sir Bobby Robson, Kevin McDonald and Alan Kelly, Staunton declined to pick over the bones of the last three years when Ireland, under his predecessor Brian Kerr, have slipped to fourth seeds for the UEFA EURO 2008™ draw, their lowest ranking in two decades.

Impressive career
"I'm not here to talk about the past, I want to look to the future," said Staunton, who played for Liverpool FC (1986-91 and 1998-00), Aston Villa FC (1991-98) and Coventry City FC (2003-05). But the man who won 102 caps for his country between 1988 and 2002, taking in three FIFA World Cup final tournaments, will look to the Jack Charlton era for inspiration when it suits him.

'Granny rule'
In particular, Staunton wants to use what he calls the "granny rule", discovering foreign-born players who have Irish heritage and are eligible for the Republic. Ireland's most successful sides were built around "granny rule" players like Andy Townsend, John Aldridge, Tony Cascarino and Ray Houghton. There was a belief - always denied by Kerr - that he favoured native Irish players ahead of the so-called Anglos, but Staunton said he will explore all avenues to recruit talent.

New blood needed
"We will look down the road of exploring the granny rule, that's vital for getting players on board," he revealed. "If we can get four or five players, new players in, that will be important. We have to get the team up and running again, get the fans behind us, and fresh talent in the squad will help that.

Overseas connections
"I don't think there's a family in Ireland which doesn't have an uncle or cousins abroad, people who had to leave Ireland to find work. My children were born in England because I was playing there, but I would hate to think that someone would tell them they couldn't play for Ireland."

Fear factor
Staunton will also strive to revive Ireland's reputation, built up under Charlton (1986-95) and maintained by Mick McCarthy (1996-02), of a team to be feared - again something that was lost under Kerr. "We went to three World Cups and a UEFA European Championship, we achieved a lot though hard graft and team work. We frightened our opponents and made them respect us. We were regarded as a team to be feared, and that's something I want to bring back."

Mixed feelings
Reaction to the appointment in Ireland has been mixed. Former internationals such as John Giles, Ronnie Whelan and Mark Lawrenson have questioned the move to bring in former England manager Sir Bobby as international football consultant. Another ex-Ireland man, John Aldridge, caused a stir by saying he was "disgusted" with the Football Association of Ireland - he claimed they had made arrangements to interview him about the post last week, when the FAI had already set in motion the appointment of Staunton.