Stephen Hunt put a difficult week behind him by playing his part in the Republic of Ireland's opening World Cup qualifying victory over Georgia.

The 27-year-old Reading midfielder was hugely disappointed to miss out on a move back to the Barclays Premier League as the summer transfer window closed last Monday.

However, after promising to re-double his efforts to return to the top flight either with the Royals or without them as soon as possible, he found himself thrust on to the international stage in Mainz on Saturday evening.

Hunt, in the starting line-up in place of the injured Damien Duff, was delighted to get the chance to take out his frustration on the Georgians as Ireland claimed a 2-1 victory at the Bruchweg Stadium.

The winger, who will hope to retain his place for Wednesday night's clash with Montenegro in Podgorica, said: "A few things have gone on and it was nice to finish the week on a high.

"That's gone now. I felt very focused on football and I am looking forward to Montenegro now.

"Three points is massive. We were a bit sloppy for the goal, but we take it on the chin and move on and learn from it.

"It sets us up now for a good game against Montenegro. Some of the boys are saying Montenegro are a good team.

"We will watch the video on Monday or Tuesday, but we have to concentrate on ourselves."

The win in Germany, coupled with Montenegro's 2-2 draw with 10-man Bulgaria and Italy's last-gasp 2-1 victory in Cyprus, left the Ireland squad brimming with confidence as they attempt to return home with a maximum six points from their opening foray.

They perhaps should have seen off the Georgians more comprehensively than they did and endured a tense finale after Levan Kenia's injury-time strike reduced the deficit created by goals from Kevin Doyle and Glenn Whelan either side of half-time.

But Hunt has tipped Georgia to make life difficult for their remaining opponents, provided they are allowed to play their games in Tbilisi, with Saturday's tie having been switched to a neutral venue.

He said: "Hopefully Georgia sort themselves out and play their games in Georgia because they are not a bad team.

"They are a very strong team and they have got some good players, so hopefully Russia will move out and they can play their games in Georgia."

In the meantime, the Republic will concentrate on themselves and the task of collecting another three points in Montenegro.

If they are to do that, they may need another excellent display from the fledgling central midfield partnership of Steven Reid and Whelan.

Whelan's 70th-minute strike was his first for his country on his fourth senior appearance, and was celebrated warmly by his team-mates.

Hunt was delighted for him, although he said, with tongue firmly in cheek: "I'm waiting for mine, never mind Glenn Whelan!

"He is a calming influence. He doesn't say much, he doesn't do much around the place (off the pitch).

"But when you see him, he is relaxed, and he is the same way on the pitch."

-PA