Staunton sets sights on Germany

New Republic of Ireland manager Steve Staunton is relishing the opportunity to pit his wits against Germany's Jürgen Klinsmann in his first competitive match in charge, after the UEFA EURO 2008™ Group D fixtures were finalised.

'Massive test'
The Irish will begin their campaign away to the 2006 FIFA World Cup hosts on 2 September, and Staunton believes it will provide an early indication of the size of the task in hand. "Germany away is our first game and that's a massive test, but it's one I'm looking forward to," the former Liverpool FC and Aston Villa FC defender said.

Ground swap
He will then take the team on to Cyprus the following month, before successive home games against the Czech Republic and San Marino at the 34,000-capacity Lansdowne Road. The latter will be the last at the stadium before the start of large-scale renovations and the Republic of Ireland take up temporary residence at Croke Park.

Home from home
Usually home to Ireland's traditional sports of Gaelic football and hurling, Croke Park has a capacity over double that of Lansdowne Road and Staunton is keen to turn that to his side's advantage. "We'll have almost 80,000 fans for the games against Germany and Wales and that will be some occasion," the 37-year-old continued. "It's an amazing stadium." The Germany rematch does not crop up until the latter stages of qualifying, which finishes with a daunting trip across the Irish Sea to Wales.

Robson praise
Nevertheless, Staunton is delighted with the way Ireland's campaign has been plotted, and was keen to heap praise on the influence of his international football consultant, ex-England manager Sir Bobby Robson, in arranging it. "We achieved our key objectives, with no fixtures in June 2007 thus avoiding possible heat and end of season games," Staunton said. "Bobby Robson was a big help; he has huge experience in this field. I worked out what I wanted, ran over it with Bobby and he was of great assistance."