Ireland are more than likely going to play a more modern formation when they face Germany in Cologne tomorrow.

Caretaker manager Noel King may play a 4-2-3-1 which would be more conducive to a passing game than the direct long ball fare under Giovanni Trapattoni.

But German coach Joachim Löw says it does not matter who coaches Ireland as the players are only capable of playing one way.

Löw says Ireland will never play a passing or holding game no matter who coaches them.

He said: "It does not matter who plays or who is their coach. It does not really affect their game. Ireland means defensively compact, maximum physical involvement, always high tempo. They always fight until they fall over.

"They can defend really well. It’s part of their tradition, to defend their own goal, like in Gaelic football or rugby."

©INPHO/James Crombie