Bobby Robson, the Republic of Ireland’s new International Football consultant, has urged sceptical fans to give the new national management team time to bed in and lay foundations for future success.

"I’ll be on Steve's (Staunton) shoulder whenever he needs me, be it for advice or to deal with problems," Robson said at today’s unveiling.

"We have got ourselves some sceptics but I’m asking you to give us a chance. After all, we’re here to represent your country."

The 72-year-old former England and Newcastle manager was today officially appointed on a two-year deal to act as advisor to rookie manager Staunton.

Former Liverpool player and current Aston Villa reserve team boss Kevin MacDonald is Staunton’s new right hand man, suggesting Robson won’t be donning the tracksuit pitchside in Malahide.

"I know my main role," Robson says. "It is to support Steve in every aspect of his job.  I’ll be giving it everything I’ve got.  There is nothing I want to do more than bring success to Irish football."

Still, though, Robson admits it could be a while before the precise nature of his role is properly determined.

It is still unclear whether or not he will be on the training pitch, in the dug out or in the changing rooms prior, during and after games.

"I will sit down soon with Steve and discuss our roles and where best he sees me in the preparation for games. Our relationship is just beginning.

"We haven’t mapped out our campaign for the road ahead just yet but when we do you’ll see where exactly I fit in."

Robson has credited Jack Charlton and Niall Quinn with roles in the sequence of events that led him to take up his new role but today denied he had ever applied for the top job.

"I didn’t apply for the job," he said.  "There is no file in John Delaney’s office with my name on it."

Despite his age, Robson’s passion for the game has not waned.  He still speaks with the same enthusiasm that typified his spells with Ipswich, PSV Eindhoven, Porto and Barcelona amongst others.

"We know what players we have and what we want to keep but we need to find out what we can collect. The scouting will be hard work but we must be progressive and look past the current crop."

Having turned down a number of clubs jobs recently, Robson said it was great to be back in football at the highest level.

"I always knew there was another job in me.  The other offers were just not for me but this job is absolutely perfect. But in saying that, Steve is the boss and I will be calling him that."

Robson, who described the appointment as a "great thrill", is determined not to spend too much time raking over the failure to qualify for the World Cup.

"That's history," he added. "We must not look back, we must look forward. And I'm going to give Stan everything I've got to help him succeed.

"There's nothing we won't do to try to bring success in Irish football."