Charlton casts an eye over new era

JACK CHARLTON will this evening watch Ireland play a competitive game for the first time since relinquishing the management of…

JACK CHARLTON will this evening watch Ireland play a competitive game for the first time since relinquishing the management of the team to Mick McCarthy.

The only time he has seen Ireland play in the intervening period was in last year's exhibition game against Celtic, but this, he concedes, will he vastly different.

"Nobody has to remind me how dangerous little teams can be, even when playing in Dublin," he said. "I recall playing Luxembourg at Lansdowne Road on one occasion and far from the hatful of goals promised, we were happy to get out with a 2-0 win.

Still, I'm looking forward to the game. I have a business appointment in Dublin tomorrow and when somebody suggested that I should take in the game, I was delighted. But I've no advice to offer Mick McCarthy. It's his job now and I'm sure he'll get on with it."

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