And now the former Liverpool and Aston Villa defender is a manager himself he is striving to equal the atmosphere which helped Charlton’s side reach the World Cup finals in 1990 and 1994.

The understrength Irish touring party will complete their two-game US tour tonight at the Gillette Stadium near Boston, when they take on Bolivia in an international friendly (9pm Irish Time).

Having taken just nine capped players to America and awarded 11 new caps among the starting XI and subs during the 1-1 midweek draw with Ecuador in New York, Staunton has been impressed with how well his makeshift squad has gelled Stateside.

“Confidence is high,” Staunton said.

“The lads are just delighted to be here. We’ve created an environment and an atmosphere that everybody wants to be part of it.

“That’s what I wanted. I came into a similar atmosphere with Jack. Players are hobbling in and you’re nearly telling people they’re injured, the opposite way round.

“I think I’m getting to that stage and for me that’s very important.”

Staunton believes spirits in the squad have been kept high by giving his players plenty to do after training and between games.

“When you’re a player, what happens off the field is more important,” he said.

“When we’re away for 10 or 12 days it’s very hard to keep yourself occupied.

“The players have helped themselves with their camaraderie and little things whether it be a quiz, a sing-song, you name it, a keep-ball session, yellow jersey, different things just add to it and they’ve grown to like it.

“(Is it) calling on my experience? I’d like to think so. But it’s different at club level.

“You’re not in a hotel like you are (here) for a block of 10 or 12 days but the difference here is you can impose your style quicker, make players more aware and then you know their characters quicker because you see them on and off the park and know what they’re doing and what they’re not.

“We have to try and make our own judgement.”

Ireland’s game tonight will be followed at Gillette Stadium by New England Revolution’s MLS game against Kansas City and Staunton will be particularly interested in the performance of Revs defender and Irish passport holder Michael Parkhurst.

Staunton has spoken with the player about declaring for the Republic and would have called him up for the tour had Parkhurst not missed the start of the MLS season with a shoulder injury.

But the manager’s plans to bring Parkhurst on board took a hit on Thursday when the 2005 MLS Rookie of the Year was called into the USA’s Gold Cup squad.

Parkhurst has been named in two previous national team camps this year by USA head coach Bob Bradley but has still not been capped.

Staunton appeared surprised when told of Parkhurst’s US call-up yesterday but said the matter was out of his hands.

“Has he? We’ve spoken to Michael. If he joins up with us, that’s his call. We can only ask the boy and if he wants to go down that route he will.

“If not, well then we’ll wait and see but you can’t force people to play for you.

“It’s his choice, whatever he wants to do he’ll do. If he joins up with America, good luck to him. You can only ask the question.”