He has been thrust into the limelight while Ireland look for a new manager, and Noel King admits he's still getting used to the attention.

Yesterday he took time out of his busy schedule to talk to Off The Ball's Joe Molloy in Cologne about tonight's World Cup qualifier against Germany.

While Germany coach Joachim Löw has been criticised for claiming that Ireland can only play in one particular style, there was one point he and King could agree on.

That was on the importance of individual skill in comparison to formations and systems in the modern game.

"It's all about players. You can put out any system you like and you can look at the pitch and it bears no resemblance to what's on the paper. The ball is also key, players are key and individual skill is very important," he said.

But can Robbie Keane play up front on his own if the system is taken out of consideration?

"Robbie Keane is an international forward with 60 goals. If he can't play up front, I don't know how he's managed to do that. What they're talking about is the lion's share of possession and being fed off less possession as you would have in a normal game. It's a different role than when you're dominant in a lone role. The player has to get a sense of the game themselves as the game progresses," said King who acknowledged that Keane must have been frustrated by the style of play against Spain at Euro 2012.

As for Germany, King has not been able to see them live, although he has watched "video, after video after video". 

©INPHO/Donall Farmer