Players to have say in appointment

Republic of Ireland captain Robbie Keane has revealed a delegation of senior players are to meet with FAI chief executive John Delaney to discuss the next managerial appointment.

Following what proved to be the FAI's error in recruiting the inexperienced Steve Staunton, who was sacked last month, it appears the body are now doing all they can to ensure the next man is the right one.

Former player-manager Johnny Giles is serving the FAI cause, and has already sounded out former Wigan boss Paul Jewell.

Now the players are also to have their say as Keane confirmed: "If they (the FAI) want to ask us, then it's not a problem.

"A few of the senior players are going to have a chat with John, and whatever they want to ask us, we'll give a fair opinion as much as we can. That's all we can do.

"It's up to the people over us to get somebody in place, but we will certainly give our opinion if that is what they want."

Apart from conceding any new manager would "need a thick skin", Spurs striker Keane declined to offer too much insight into the other qualities required for the job.

"It's not my job to tell the FAI what kind of manager we need. It's up to them," added Keane. "I know Paul Jewell is someone who could do a good job because he is a good manager. But I can only go on what I've heard from other people, that he did a great job at Wigan.

"There are so many other people being mentioned, and whoever takes over will get the full support of everyone."

Keane knows that, prior to a new manager coming in, it is up to him and the rest of the Irish squad to atone for many previous errors over the course of the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign.

A win over Wales at the Millennium Stadium will not rectify all the mistakes made, but will at least prove to a potential new boss there is hope for the future.

"The lads are disappointed with the way we have performed as a team. That's only natural," added Keane.

"We know we haven't played as well as we would have liked, but hopefully tomorrow we can put some pride back, and amongst the players we are looking to stand up and be counted.

"We need to regroup and hopefully finish the campaign on a positive note, rather than a negative one.

"But this week has been good. The lads have enjoyed it, so we'll be going out there and giving what we always do - 100 per cent - and looking forward to getting a decent result."