Clinton Morrison has launched a passionate defence of Brian Kerr's record as Ireland manager, and condemned the FAI's decision not to renew his contract.

The Crystal Palace striker is the first current member of the national squad to speak out publicly against the treatment of Kerr, whose two-and-a-half year reign ended last week after he failed to guide Ireland into the 2006 World Cup.

"The FAI made the decision they thought was right, but I thought it was unfair," said Morrison. "Obviously everyone was upset that we didn't qualify for the World Cup, but I think he should have kept his job.

"All the players had a great relationship with him and I know for sure that he improved my game in the time that I worked under him. It's very disappointing and sad. I hope Brian gets another good job because he's an excellent manager and he deserves it."

Morrison believes that rather than making a scapegoat of Kerr, the finger of blame should have been pointed at the players who frittered away crucial points in the Group Four qualifying games with Israel.

"The whole experience was so disappointing because it was in our own hands and we threw it away," he added. "We drew in Israel after conceding in injury time and we were winning 2-0 against them at home and we threw that away as well. They were games we should have done better in.

"The manager lost his job but it wasn't his fault, it was the players' responsibility. We were the ones who lost those leads, not Brian. I have to concentrate on my Palace career now but it's difficult. I don't think I'll ever get over it."

Kerr's dismissal is a particularly bitter blow to Morrison. The Dubliner had assured the 26-year-old that his international prospects would not be affected by his decision to quit Birmingham and drop into the Championship, but the arrival of a new manager has jeopardised that scenario.

"I know I've got to impress whoever takes over in order to stay in the Ireland team," Morrison admitted. "Brian knew what I could do and liked me as a player, but the new man may not think that way. All I can do is keep scoring for Palace and hope that will be enough."

Morrison, however, is confident that his stay in the Championship will be brief. Palace are currently fifth in the league table and the London-born forward has made an exceptional start to his second spell at Selhurst Park, scoring six goals in 10 games. Tonight's home League Cup third round tie against Liverpool offers Morrison a welcome return to the limelight.

There was a particular spring in his step yesterday as he bounded into Crystal Palace's training ground. Morrison has developed a love-hate relationship with the European champions - he loves playing against them and their supporters despise him.

Liverpool followers have not forgotten comments he made between the two legs of Palace's League Cup semi-final against their club in 2001. Having scored at Selhurst Park to give Palace a 2-1 advantage for the return, Morrison was asked how it felt to have upstaged Emile Heskey and Michael Owen.

The Liverpool strikers had drawn blanks, and Owen was stuck in one of his periodic lean spells, with three goals from 15 matches. "I was looking at the chances they had and I was thinking, 'I wish I could have had some of them. I would have put at least two of them away'," Morrison reportedly said, though he claims he was misquoted and later phoned Owen to say as much.

The damage was done, though, and Morrison's words were pinned up in the Liverpool dressing room before the second leg, Palace were hammered 5-0 and the Kop gave Morrison a rough reception. "Clinton, Clinton what's the score?" they asked.

"I had always dreamed about the Kop singing my name - but not like that," Morrison reflected yesterday.