Charlton gives seal of approval McCarthy's management of the Republic of Ireland squad in the on-going debate over their elimination from the European Championship.

The man who led Ireland for almost 10 years before resigning in December 1995 did not see the scoreless draw in Bursa on Wednesday which ended their title challenge.

He admits, however, that he was apprehensive after Ireland's 1-1 draw in the opening leg of the tie at Lansdowne Road four days earlier.

"That was where the tie was won and lost, for if you can't beat Turkey at home you can't reasonably expect to succeed over there in front of some of the most partisan supporters you'll find anywhere in the world," he said.

"We did succeed in beating them 3-1 in Istanbul in 1991, but I think there were a couple of important differences between that Ireland team and the present one. And one of them has to do with experience.

"The team I took there was full of tough, hardened professionals who were capable of travelling abroad and getting a result against almost any team. That was probably our best chance of doing well in a major championship for the squad was stronger than at any point during my time in charge. And yet we didn't even qualify for Sweden in 1992.

"Compared to that squad I think the current bunch of Ireland players is a bit immature. And with the Turks on a roll just now, it was always going to be a huge challenge."

Charlton, whose love affair with Ireland is undiminished after four years out of office, believes that the FAI was right to offer McCarthy an extension of his contract before the European championship qualifying programme had run its course.

"If you believe that you've picked the right man for the job then you must have faith and be prepared to give him a fair and reasonable chance of doing what you want him to do.

"There are probably one or two people in the FAI who may have been tempted to back Brian Kerr. He's done a great job with the kids, winning two titles and making them competitive in almost every grade up to under-18 level. And that achievement shouldn't be understated.

"Ireland has been turning out good underage teams for a long time now and with more youngsters than ever involved in football and Brian's knowledge of the system, I think we're going to go on being successful at this level.

"But it's one thing turning out teams who can be successful when playing against lads of their own age group. Take my word for it, it's a hell of a lot harder in senior competitions like the World Cup or European championship.

"And in getting his team involved in the play-offs for the finals of the World Cup in France two years ago and now the European championship, I think McCarthy has done better than anybody could reasonably have expected."

In support of his argument, he points to the number of young players McCarthy has introduced to the squad.

"Everything changes and the truth is that most of my players had seen their best years by the time I left. Mick was faced with a massive task in rebuilding the squad and when you look at the younger players he's brought in, you have to say he's done brilliantly.

"It shouldn't be forgotten that Ireland were drawn in a hell of a group in this European championship, with countries like Yugoslavia, Croatia and even Macedonia all capable of topping the table.

"It's a sign of the level of our expectations that people were disappointed when we found ourselves in the play-offs after failing so narrowly to go through as group winners.

"That's another tribute to the job Mick McCarthy is doing. And now he fully deserves the chance of completing it during the qualifying programme for the next World Cup."