John Giles believes the impressive performance of the 2014 World Cup minnows should give hope to Ireland.

The Leeds and Ireland legend joined us on the show tonight and drew encouragement from the showings of the likes of Costa Rica and Algeria.

He believes that the "smaller teams have made" this World Cup exciting by giving the bigger countries a run for their money, adding that the standard of international football is not as high anymore.

"From an Irish point of view, to see what's been done by what's regarded as smaller countries is encouraging for us to know that there's no great teams out there and we can do it," said John, who also spoke about international football's place in the scheme of things and why friendlies should be regarded as vitally important for competing nations, regardless of clubs' objections to releasing players.

"I think Martin [O'Neill] will know exactly in his head who his best players are. You can never see them often enough," he added.

John also cited the likes of Greece and Iran as the example of being "practical" and playing the style of football that suits the players at their disposal. But he was also heartened by the attacking disposition of many of the teams in Brazil this summer. 

He also feels that the traditional big countries have gone backwards, while the teams formerly regarded as World Cup minnows have been "great".

"It gives great encouragement round the world for smaller nations to know that they can compete at the highest level unless Brazil, Argentina and Germany produce better players - which is unlikely," said John, who also praised the USA's progress since his own time playing and managing over there in the late 70s and early 80s.

John also gave his take on the teams left in the competition including Holland who he tipped and also felt Wesley Sneijder has played too far forward.

But he was also critical of Argentina - Messi aside - feels Germany are "suspect at the back" and also mused whether France's young side can do it. He also feels that Colombia could be a bit "fragile" against Brazil, although he has been impressed by and enjoyed their football. He also touched on Brazil "not having the samba players anymore" and gave his opinion on Luiz Felipe Scolari drafting in the team's psychologist as they try to deal with the pressure on home soil.

And finally John also picked his goal of the tournament which is plural in his case as he felt too goals so far merit that status.