The 38-year-old is planning to use their criticisms as motivation for his squad and, once the fans read his comments, he is hoping they too will be suitably riled.

Whether Staunton’s plan works remains to be seen as the trio of Germans who took in Ireland’s 1-0 victory that day were not exactly high-powered – it can be revealed that they were head of ticketing Katja Sichtig, head of events Peter Radziwill and security chief Martin Spitzl.

Staunton said: “We know tomorrow we are up against one of the powerhouses of world football.

“We heard the comments back from the German delegation after the Welsh game, and if you were an Irish player or supporter, I would not have been too happy with them.

“They weren’t very complimentary about Croke Park, about the crowd and the atmosphere in the ground not being very good, or about our chances.

“They said the pitch was too far away from the supporters and the fans did not have an effect on the team.

“If they had been there for the Slovakia game then they might have come away with a different attitude.

“But we will use that to motivate the players.”

When asked who made the accusations, Staunton replied: “I’m not going to name names, but it was a German delegation, very high up.”

The fact is their comments were spot on as the atmosphere against Wales was poor, the supporters are a distance from the pitch, and the team did not play well into the bargain.

Croke Park – currently being used whilst Lansdowne Road is redeveloped – is the home of Gaelic football, a sport that boasts a considerably larger pitch than soccer.

However the atmosphere against the Slovaks was vastly different, notably because it was an evening kick-off for which Irish fans are always more vocal and fervent. It is why tomorrow’s game against Germany starts at 7.45pm because the Football Association of Ireland and Staunton know they will be boosted by a boisterous, sell-out crowd.

“I think the Irish fans can play a big part tomorrow night like they always do, and the XI that go out there will definitely be up for it,” insisted Staunton.

“It certainly helps it’s a night-time game. It always does. There is a special atmosphere, a different feel about it. Anybody will tell you that.

“With it being a full house, there’s going to be a good atmosphere here.”

It is a game the Republic have to win if they are to keep alive their threadbare hopes of qualification.

In short, they have to win their remaining three matches, whilst at the same time hoping the Czech Republic fail to acquire the three points they need from their final trio of games to claim the runners-up spot.

Unbeaten Germany, who have dropped just two points from their eight matches, need only a draw to guarantee their place in the finals in Switzerland and Austria next year.

Midfielder Andy Reid looks set to start providing there is no reaction to his ankle injury tomorrow after playing a full part in today’s training session.

John O’Shea will undergo a fitness test on his dead leg, and if given the all clear will start in the centre of defence.

Although striker Kevin Doyle sat out the session after catching the studs of Paul McShane in training yesterday, he will play.

However, Darren Potter is out with a groin injury, and may return to Wolves over the weekend if he fails to improve.