Trapattoni was delighted with his contribution to a priceless win, although he is confident there is even more to come from the midfielder.

He said: “McGeady was very, very important, but he can improve again. With more confidence, he has the impossibilty to improve.

“He has two very good legs. After the first half, I said to him, ’Believe in yourself, believe in yourself, believe in yourself’.

“He became more and more confident and he has the possibility to grow.”

If McGeady’s performance, coupled with skipper Robbie Keane’s lethal finishing, won the day for Ireland, Trapattoni was particularly pleased with the way his players stuck to the blueprint he has drawn up for lasting success.

His desire to play two combative players in the middle of the park has proved detrimental to Andy Reid’s international career, but it has made Glenn Whelan a key member of the team.

With Steven Reid injured, the Stoke man was partnered by Blackburn’s Keith Andrews, who was handed a first senior start for his country, and the Italian was delighted with their discipline, which allowed the likes of McGeady, Keane, Damien Duff and Kevin Doyle to prosper ahead of them.

He said: “I am happy for them because I believe in those players.

“We are waiting for Steven Reid, Stephen Ireland and other players – and you never say never – but we are now in a good situation in the table.

“Football is like life. If you are building a house, it is impossible to have five architects or three engineers. The house would not be built. ”

The win over Georgia took Ireland level on points with Group Eight leaders and reigning world champions Italy, who they face in Bari on April 1 four days after Bulgaria visit Croke Park.

But there is a growing belief about the Republic camp after a return of 10 points from a possible 12 in their opening four games.

Trapattoni said: “The results have given us more self-belief for when we play against other famous teams and famous players.”