FORMER REPUBLIC of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy has predicted that Giovanni Trapattoni will guide Ireland to the World Cup finals in South Africa.

The Wolves boss insisted yesterday that a combination of the resilience and spirit the Italian has generated within the squad, along with a reasonably favourable draw, will help Robbie Keane and co on their way.

“I think they can do it,” said the manager who oversaw Ireland’s qualification for the 2002 finals via a play-off success against Iran after earlier defeats by Belgium and Turkey at the same stage.

“They are hard to beat and Trapattoni has got a list of successes as long as my arm and my leg put together. There’s every chance they can do it because they’ve got good players and they’ll have the belief.

“Also, I looked at the fixtures and I have to be honest – I’d sooner be going to France in the second leg than going to Portugal, Russia or Greece. If they can keep a clean sheet in Ireland, I’d be happier going to France than going to Greece with the atmosphere there, or Russia, possibly playing on a plastic pitch, or Portugal, who I’ve seen playing in the last three games and probably shouldn’t have ended up in the play-offs.

“I wouldn’t be so negative about playing France, and they did finish second in the group, remember.”

McCarthy continues to have strong connections with the Irish players as international squad members Kevin Doyle, Andy Keogh and Kevin Foley are among those he works with daily at Molineux.

Other Irish players at the club include Stephen Ward, who signed from Bohemians a couple of seasons ago, and young goalkeeper Aaron McCarey, who joined from Monaghan United last month.

The senior ones are all expected to be part of the Wolves squad that travels to Ferrycarrig Park next Monday for a friendly against Wexford Youths, a match that, apart from the Doyle connection, McCarthy says is part of an effort to put something back into the league here.

“We’ve had some good success with bringing players in from Ireland, and it’s always important to give something back to the clubs that have helped produce these players,” he said.

“We’re delighted to be able to go over and play this friendly, and it’s something Kevin particularly wanted to do.”

Tickets for Monday’s game are available from www.tickets.ie