This week, Ireland winger Aiden McGeady claimed that managing the Boys in Green is a poisoned chalice due to the criticism that comes with the job.

Interim manager Noel King has been getting a taste of the pressures of the job and he was on Off The Ball last night to reveal if drinking out of that particular chalice is fatal to one's chances.

There seemed to be no sign of strain even after Friday's 3 - 0 defeat to Germany.

"I've enjoyed it, I must say," revealed King. "I do know how difficult the job is but I'm glad to be given the chance to do it. It's not a poisoned chalice, it's an honour. I think the players acquitted themselves terrifically well."

Having said that, Ireland might have created chances in Cologne but technically, the Boys in Green were completely outclassed. They had to make do with 25 per cent of possession and struggled to keep the ball which has been a perennial issue for those wearing the green shirt.

Kazakhstan players train in the Aviva Stadium ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy

"It's an ongoing thing with Germany. They beat Holland 3 - 0 and you would call Holland one of the great football nations. We've shown that Germany have a few weaknesses in defence which they will be concerned about. But they have fantastic individual players. Hardly anyone could expect Ireland to go out there and take them on in a 4-2-4," said King who also said it will take time for things to change for Ireland.

"Things won't change until the attitude changes. Even if the attitude changes, you have to remember it's Ireland with a population of 4.5 million against Germany with 70 - 80 million. They have a passion for football and a professional home league."  

Tonight, Ireland take on Kazakhstan who pose a completely different challenge as fans expect nothing short of a win. 

"How the game unfolds will dictate how we play. If we get a chance to attack, we'll attack. We will try to keep the ball and have a go to win the game. Whatever way that happens can often be dictated by Kazakhstan because people forget that there is an international team here who have made things difficult for others. They drew 0 - 0 with Austria, 0 - 0 with Sweden and lost 2 - 1 to Ireland after a late goal. Unfortunately Irish people think this is a 'turn up and win game'. That's hard to believe."

 

©INPHO/Morgan Treacy