Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy gave his players a resounding vote of confidence today as he looked forward to the "proudest moment" of his life.
"I can't believe anyone would want to question the character of my squad," McCarthy told reporters on the eve of Ireland's World Cup group E opener against Cameroon. "They are top class, a credit to themselves."
"The character here is brilliant, we want to do our talking on the pitch now," he said.
"We've had just two defeats in 20 matches, we qualified (for the finals) out of a group containing Portugal and the Netherlands and we beat Iran over two legs (in a qualifying playoff)."
McCarthy has positive omens to call on, as he captained Ireland to their best ever World Cup showing - a quarter-final place - at the finals in Italy 12 years ago.
But after the recent intense personal scrutiny and media speculation over his future in the manager's job, he is in no doubt what Saturday's encounter will mean to him.
"It was a wonderful feeling in 1990 but that's history now," he said.
"This promises to be even better...this will be my proudest moment in the game and I am really looking forward to it."
Steve Staunton has assumed the captaincy in Keane's absence, and will win his 99th cap at Niigata's Big Swan stadium.
The central defender backed McCarthy's confidence over the unity in the squad.
"The squad has not really changed in 15 years and morale is always high," he said.
"We will go down fighting if we do go down."
Ireland, who also face Germany and Saudi Arabia in group E, have no injury worries.
"A few players sat out training," McCarthy said after the practice session at the 42,000-capacity stadium.
"But they just have a few blisters or little bangs...everyone is fit to play."
That means Jason McAteer has recovered from the knee injury that has dogged him for nearly a week and the former Liverpool player should take his place on the right side of midfield.