Scotland have been asked to fill one of the Republic of Ireland's vacant dates in the spring as FAI officials seek to salvage something from the disappointment of World Cup elimination following Ireland's defeat by Belgium in Brussels on Saturday.

Qualification for France '98 would, unquestionably, have put them in a better position to secure attractive fixtures and replenish the coffers of the association after a set of relatively low-key qualifying games.

Now an extra price tag is being attached to Ireland's failure to beat Belgium as their involvement in the play-off tie cost the FAI precious time in finalising their programme for the New Year.

Lingering hopes that England would be favourably disposed to an additional spring fixture were lost following a phone call to the English FA's chief executive Graham Kelly yesterday. England's build up to the World Cup finals is now pretty much in place and an additional game is not being contemplated at this stage.

The Scottish FA is thought to be more receptive to the proposition and, together with Greece, they are now being lobbied in the hope that they will visit Dublin in April or May.

"At this point, we are exploring both these possibilities, but as yet it's too early to confirm if either will be in a position to facilitate us," said FAI chief executive Bernard O'Byrne. "The FA in London has informed us, however, that their programme is full."

Within the last few weeks, the FAI, in common with other European national associations, has been circularised by an agent acting on behalf of Argentina, Colombia and Mexico with a view to hosting a game at Lansdowne Road.

So far, the offer has not been followed through as the FAI is first examining the possibility of securing European opposition to assist in the preparations for the next European Championship.

If England, of the British teams, are still the biggest draw on this side of the Irish sea, a fixture with Scotland would also have substantial appeal, particularly at a time when the gap between the two countries is perceived to have narrowed.

That evaluation is based not just on the fact that the Republic of Ireland, alone of the home countries, qualified for the 1994 World Cup finals, but on the results of the last two meetings of the teams in the qualifying stages of the 1988 European Championship.

Ireland's inability to improve on a scoreless draw at Lansdowne Road was interpreted by Jack Charlton as a bad result for his team and the point was given credibility when they went to Hampden some six months later and won 1-0.

In the only two friendly games between the countries, both in the 1960s, the Irish won one and drew the other, but, significantly, were twice beaten by the Scots in the preliminaries for the 1962 World Cup.

Mick McCarthy's contract as manager of the national team is expected to be signed before the end of the week. Bernard O'Byrne said yesterday that the requisite documentation was now being processed and he expected a new arrangement to be put in place within a matter of days.

McCarthy is expected in Dublin on Thursday and will be part of the consultative team which formulates the programme for the New Year. But he acknowledges that at least part of it may have to be shelved until after the draw for the European Championship is made in Ghent in January.

At this point, he can only be apprehensive about his next big challenge, the more so since he is certain to be without David Connolly for the start of his programme. Connolly is facing a possible three-match ban after being sent off in Brussels.

Noel Cantwell, a spectator at the Belgian game on Saturday, will be one of the personalities honoured in Cork on Friday at a function to mark the 50th anniversary of the Cork AUL.

A history of the organisation, has just been published in Cork and is available through most newsagents in the city.