Republic ready to get down to business
Republic of Ireland manager Brian Kerr can sense an air of confidence and determination within his squad as they look to take a stranglehold on their World Cup destiny.
The players were given an ideal, if hardly strenuous, warm-up yesterday, by recording a 1-0 win when providing the opposition for long-serving Celtic star Jackie McNamara as he celebrated a testimonial crammed with mixed emotions.
After 10 years service, and with no guarantee of a new contract this summer with Gordon Strachan due to take over as boss on Wednesday, McNamara was afforded a rapturous, heart-warming send-off by a 52,000-strong crowd.
They had also gathered to bid an emotional farewell to outgoing manager Martin O'Neill, who is standing down after five successful years with the club to care for wife Geraldine, who is suffering with cancer.
Skipper Paul Lambert also said his goodbyes as he is due to start his new position as Livingston manager, while it seems certain goalkeeper Rob Douglas and popular defender Bobo Balde also played their last games.
When you throw into the mix the return of all-conquering hero Henrik Larsson, for whom the cheer when he took to the pitch as a second-half substitute dwarfed anything McNamara and O'Neill received, then it proved a rollercoaster of an afternoon for Celtic followers.
Ireland were simply there to make up the numbers, albeit with Kerr proclaiming the day as a useful exercise ahead of their World Cup qualifying games against Israel at Lansdowne Road on Saturday and then in Torshavn to take on the Faroe Islands four days later.
The feeling is nothing less than six points will suffice if Ireland are to be heading for Germany next summer, although Kerr stated: "We can win the group without winning the two games, although it would make it much more difficult. But of course, the target is six points."
Despite these games coming at the back end of an arduous season for many of the squad, Kerr sees no reason why such a target cannot be achieved, adding :``I've no doubts over our approach.
"The players have been attuned to the idea their season would go on a bit longer. We've known the dates for a long time.
"They have mentally prepared themselves for it, and they are mentally prepared for the task ahead and that we need to try and win the two games.
"I'm satisfied with their attitude. They were keen as mustard to play in this game, and in training last week which was good.
"I sense a confidence and determination within them to do well, and we've every reason to be because overall we've shown ourselves to be a good team in the group and our performances have been good."
Kerr used all the players available to him throughout the 90 minutes, which culminated in an injury-time winner from Tottenham striker Robbie Keane, who after the game refused to rule out the prospect of a summer switch to boyhood heroes Celtic.
An influencing factor could be Strachan, who was Keane's boss at Coventry for a year between August 1999 and 2000 before a staggering £13million move to Inter Milan.
Keane, who has just a year left on his White Hart Lane contract to add to the rumours surrounding his future, said: "I have been linked with moves to every club this summer.
"At the end of the day, I've got one year left at Tottenham, and I am happy there, but if things change, then who knows?
"If the manager or chairman came to me and told me I was no longer wanted at Spurs then I am going to have to consider my future.
"As I have said, I am a Celtic fan, and I have also said that one day I would like to play for them."
Strachan's appointment only adds fuel to the fire, particularly with the 24-year-old adding: "He's a tremendous manager.
"He's the best manager I have worked under because he gets the best out of players, he has this enthusiasm for the game and tactically he knows the game inside out.
"I am sure he is going to do a tremendous job for Celtic."
