Staunton calling for Croker roar

Staunton says the Croke Park occasion won't get to his players

Group D: Rep of Ire v Wales
Date: Saturday 24 March
Kick-off: 1500 GMT
Venue: Croke Park
Coverage: Live on BBC Radio Wales, updates on the BBC Sport website

Republic of Ireland boss Steve Staunton wants to see a full Croke Park "going mad" in Saturday's must-win Euro 2008 qualifier against Wales.

Staunton came in for major criticism after the shambolic display in last month's 2-1 win over San Marino.

However, Staunton is still expecting vocal support for his team in the first football international at Croke Park.

"We'll have 69,000 screaming fans in the stadium. It is going to be great to see the Irish fans in here," he said.

Staunton was speaking on Tuesday evening as the Republic of Ireland squad trained at Croke Park for the first time.

After Saturday's game against Wales, the Republic face Slovakia four days later and there has widespread speculation that Staunton will be out of a job if his side produce two more poor displays.

Just under 70,000 Irish fans will roar on Staunton's side, a fact he feels will give his players a significant edge as they look to secure the six points that will keep them in the qualifying hunt.

"The stands are empty now, but they will be full on Saturday. It is going to be great to see the Irish fans in here waving flags and going mad."

Staunton insists the magnitude of the occasion will not get to his players, as it seemingly did to their rugby counterparts when they lost to France in an RBS Six Nations showdown recently.

"What goes on on the other side of the white lines won't affect the players. They will have to get on with their performance.

"A lot of the boys born and bred here know what it's all about, and once we get the fans behind us, the players will be okay.

"Most of them watched a (GAA) game here last year before one of the friendlies, but the players were delighted to be out there."