Mary Hannigan talks to Damien Duff about Saturday's crunch game, his move to Newcastle and Roy Keane's new post

He was only nine when Ray Houghton put the ball in the English net in Stuttgart 18 years ago, so Damien Duff's memories of that day are hazy enough. What does he recall about it? "Christy Moore's song, Joxer Goes To Stuttgart," he grins, "all the lads have had a belt at singing it, but we never get the words right - especially Robbie (Keane).

"But it was one of those special Irish moments, wasn't it? Ray Houghton's goal. It was the start of the real craze for football in Ireland, on the international scene, if we could get close to that on Saturday it would be unbelievable."

But, such was the mood after that 4-0 defeat by Holland earlier this month it seems the prospects of anything other than a defeat in Stuttgart on Saturday would, indeed, be regarded as unbelievable. Duff, though, is calling for a little calm.

"I think people were being a bit harsh after the Holland game, over critical. They were a good team and we were missing the backbone of our team, so it was just one of those nights. I don't think you look at that game and worry about the future. For me Holland is done and dusted now, it's forgotten about as far as I'm concerned, it's about looking forward."

As for calls, from some quarters, for Steve Staunton to be sacked, well, Duff just throws his eyes heavenwards. "I just thought it was laughable - and I hope Stan feels the same. I didn't see the papers the next day but I heard some people were calling for his head, ridiculous comments. I think Stan's the right man for the job, we all love him to bits. He's really freshened things up, I think he'll do a great job in the coming years."

He can't, though, offer any insight in to the team that will provide Staunton with his first competitive challenge, having not seen too much of Germany during the summer. "I actually didn't watch an awful lot of the World Cup, when it got under way I was just absolutely sick at not being there, so I just saw a few clips here and there. Germany were impressive, but you can't tell an awful lot from a two-minute clip on Sky News. Sixty four games in the World Cup? I probably watched three."

"But they are a good side. We've had tough away games before, Portugal and Holland and so on, but with what's gone on in the past couple of weeks, the way people's spirits are about the team then, definitely, this is probably the toughest of the lot. We're up against it, no doubt about it, but if there's one team that can pull off a shock it's the Irish."

Since he last played for Ireland, in May's 1-0 defeat by Chile, Duff has taken his leave of Chelsea and headed north to Newcastle where, he hopes, he can put all that rotation business behind him. "And that was the whole idea behind the move, that I'd be playing every week, and when you do that you're fitter, stronger, playing better, so that was the idea - whether it works or not we'll see. I just want to be fit and playing football, that's all.

"There was interest from other clubs but - and I'm not being smart or anything - I just went there because I wanted to, it's as simple as that. There were no other factors, I just wanted to go to Newcastle because it's a great place to play, a special place, amazing stadium, amazing fans."

His thoughts on Roy Keane's appointment as Sunderland manager are interrupted by U2's Beautiful Day - it's the ringtone on his mobile phone - but once he deals with the disruption he's quick to offer a vote of confidence in his new north-east neighbour. "I think he'll do a great job. Great players don't always make great managers, but I really do think he will. He'll be a good coach, he'll probably rattle a few cages, even him just being at their game against West Brom seemed to lift them, I think that speaks volumes.

"When he was with Ireland he wouldn't say a lot in the dressingroom but when he did say something it'd be something good, something to listen to. When he came back, having done his coaching badges, he was more vocal then, especially with the younger players, he was really good with them, and even with the likes of me, you never stop learning. But just to have him around . . . I'm 27 now but I'd still be in awe of him, if he was in this room now I'd be like a little kid just staring at him. He's just a legend, I think he'll do great."