Soccer:With characteristic candour, Roy Keane yesterday expressed qualified sympathy for Steve Staunton in the wake of his dismissal by the FAI along with measured support for the idea of Dave O'Leary succeeding him as the Republic of Ireland manager.

The former, he suggested, had suffered because of the limitations of the squad available to him while the latter's blend of experience and availability would make him a decent choice for the FAI.

Asked about Staunton's demise, at his weekly pre-match Sunderland press conference, the Corkman said he appreciated what a difficult task he had taken on when he was appointed in January of last year. The lack of players plying their trade at the highest level in Britain had, he observed, proved a major handicap and the quality of the next generation, which Staunton had sought to bring through, did not inspire huge confidence for the future.

The former Ireland skipper suggested Staunton might perhaps have done better but he made clear his former team-mate had not been helped by the fact so many of those who played for him had fallen well short of expectations. "Obviously, the manager has to prepare and pick the right team and Steve has been criticised for that," he said. "But I certainly think the players didn't help. I have to say, you can talk all day about reshaping this (but then) you get players going out to play for Ireland and you know the performances certainly didn't warrant the qualities of players we have.

"It is a tough job for anybody and I understand how tough it was for Steve Staunton. But it comes down to the players. They must take more responsibility. They keep talking about doing stuff and then you see them against Cyprus, who really should have beaten them.

"But then you look years back to when Ireland were doing well; a lot of the players were at top clubs and playing regularly. Ronnie Whelan, Ray Houghton, Steve Staunton, Dave O'Leary at Arsenal, myself and Dennis Irwin at United. You know we don't have these players anymore. Ireland has no world-class player (now)."

The Sunderland boss is no more upbeat about the Republic's emerging talent after taking in Ireland's recent under-21 encounter with England. "I saw the under-21s and a lot of them are playing in the lower leagues and you're playing England Under-21s, many of whom are Premier League regulars," he says. "People are saying Ireland got beaten 3-0 but it's about the quality of player and the quality of player simply isn't there at the moment."

Staunton, he believes, deserves some credit for attempting to bring the team on but Keane feels the Louthman was undermined by a range of factors including the relocation of his team's home games to Croke Park.

"You watched Cyprus last week," he says, "and you're thinking, 'these (the Irish) lads are better than that', but Croke Park might not have helped. Lansdowne Road was always a difficult place for teams to go but opponents seem to enjoy Croke Park."

Inevitably, he was asked about his own level of interest in the now vacant international job and, predictably, he said it is low.

"I have a contract with Sunderland and couldn't be happier. Well, maybe another six points would help but no, I am content with my job at the moment. There are more qualified managers than me to take the job.

"I prefer the day-to-day stuff," he continued. "Maybe in a few years' time that might change, I don't know. I've heard one or two managers like Steve McClaren say the disappointing thing for an international manager is that after a bad result you do not see the players for sometimes a month or two.

"That would be frustrating. But others might say it is a cushy number. You're not working much in terms of - I mean that in a nice way - you might just have eight, 10 games per year. (It's not for me) but I think the Ireland job is a decent one for someone."

But who might that someone be? When Dave O'Leary's name was put to him he reacted fairly positively: "I think Dave would be a good choice. The role would suit him. He would not have to work every day! He can still do his TV and work a lot of young kids. I was just thinking about it the other day . . . David is not in a job, so there would be no compensation for the FAI - that must come into their thinking. He has done decent jobs where he has been. People might argue that but he did okay at Villa, decent at Leeds.

"Sometimes international jobs are suited to people like David. I think why not? He blooded a lot of young players at Leeds and that would help.

"I am not sure what the FAI and the fans are thinking but I just think it would suit David. He has that bit of experience, he is decent with the media and can handle them. He has a decent reputation in Ireland and all that comes into the package. He has had his break from football now and maybe he is ready for it. I won't be losing any sleep over it, though, I just hope they get the right man."

KEANE EYE: Roy's view of the recent developments in Irish football

On Staunton's demise . . .

"I wouldn't say I have sympathy - that is the wrong word - but I do appreciate what a tough job he had. Unfortunately for him, it did not work out."

On the current crop . . .

"I do believe a lot of it is down to the players and a lot of them certainly let the manager down with their performances. (But) Ireland has no world class players. I remember years ago when Ireland were doing well you had players who were regulars at the top teams. Now you have John O'Shea at United but he would probably be classed as a squad player...Robbie's at Spurs, Shay at Newcastle, Steve Finnan at Liverpool but a full-back is not going to get you qualification."

And the next one . . .

"We need to get some top players coming through but having watched the 21s a few weeks ago, I would not build my hopes up too high."

On being happy with his lot . . .

"I have a contract with Sunderland and could not be happier, I have to say. Maybe another six points would help but no, I am content with my job at the moment. There are more qualified managers than me to take the job."

On Staunton's legacy . . .

"In fairness to Steve Staunton, he did blood a lot of players and the experience they have got of losing matches might help.

"Sometimes you have to lose to win and they have experienced international football.

On Dave O'Leary's suitability for the job . . .

"I think Dave would be a good choice. The role would suit him. He would not have to work every day! He can still do his TV and work a lot of young kids? People might argue that but he did okay at Villa, decent at Leeds. I just think he would do a good job, a good choice, yeah.

On friendship, with O'Leary and others . . .

Dave was alright yeah, not that he was a big mate of mine, nobody was.