After his side edged ever closer to securing at least second place in Group Eight of the World Cup qualifiers, Giovanni Trapattoni was eager to put the brakes on talk of South Africa. In Sofia last night, having watched a battling 1-1 draw against Bulgaria, he conceded his side had the advantage but only a small one.

Ireland remain five points clear of their hosts with world champions Italy only a point better off, with having played a game less.

With three games to go, two of which are at home against Italy and Montenegro, it is indeed a commanding position, but the vastly experienced Italian insists there is a long way to go before he or his players can start to think about the biggest stage of all.

“Today we have a little advantage, but only a little advantage,” he said last night. “I do not talk about percentages. I know that wood is wood and the ground is the ground.

“I always thought that this was going to be a more difficult game for us than Italy away because Bulgaria are a very dangerous team.

“They showed that tonight when we conceded the goal so soon after scoring and I was a bit afraid we would lose the game.

“But I am happy now with the good result. We have a long way to go yet before we can talk about South Africa.

“I have always said that it will be a long qualifying campaign, but I am happy with this result.”

Ireland got off to a flying start when central defender Richard Dunne, who only played in the game after having a pain-killing injection in his knee, headed them into a 24th-minute lead.

The Bulgarians were back on level terms within five minutes when midfielder Dimitar Tekiyski took full advantage of a slip by Kevin Kilbane to level.

From then on, the visitors were forced to defend resolutely, but with keeper Shay Given having few saves of any note to make, they toughed it out to extend their unbeaten run in competitive games under Trapattoni to seven.

They were indebted to the immense Dunne for his bravery in defence, and there were also notable mentions for Sean St Ledger and Caleb Folan, who looked far from out of place in their first competitive starts.

“I am happy that now we have a bigger squad. When I took over, I felt our squad was little, but now it is big with these new and young players,” said the manager.

“St Ledger showed us tonight that he is a clever player, also Folan and [substitute Leon] Best.

“And I know what Richard Dunne does for Ireland every game, as he did again tonight.”

Ireland resume their campaign in Cyprus in September.

Skipper Robbie Keane, who was substituted for the first time in four years playing for his country after he finally succumbed to the foot injury which had hampered him all week, is delighted with the position his side has got itself into.

“There are still a few games to go, but it was important we came here today and didn’t lose, so that was a big plus for us,” said the Dubliner. “If we had lost today, it would have put them [Bulgaria] right back in it with a chance.

“But now it puts them slightly behind us, and Cyprus drew as well, so that’s a decent result for us.

“It keeps a few teams away from us and at the moment, it’s just between ourselves and Italy.”

Bulgaria, however, now face an uphill struggle even to claim the runners-up spot and manager Stanimir Stoilov said his side now needed a “miracle” to qualify.