Source: SKY_Sports
St Ledger out to silence cynics
Sean St Ledger reckons only a look at the Republic of Ireland's World Cup qualifying table should silence their critics.
The Republic's hopes of automatic qualification were dashed as they conceded a last-gasp equaliser against group winners Italy on Saturday, prompting pundit Eamon Dunphy to use the word "shameful" during his post-match analysis.
Giovanni Trapattoni's side were then held to a disappointing 0-0 draw at home to Montenegro on Wednesday but they were already assured of second spot in Group Eight and a two-legged play-off for a place in the World Cup.
Although the Republic went unbeaten in the group after being seeded below both Italy and Bulgaria, Trapattoni's pragmatism has not been universally celebrated.
But defender St Ledger is confident few will care how they play if they can book their ticket to South Africa.
"I would say we are in the play-offs - that's the best way to answer it," he said.
"When we were seeded for this group, we were not seeded second, so we have over-achieved, really.
"If we won the World Cup and didn't play very well, would people moan? I don't think they would.
"Everyone has an opinion - football is a game of opinions.
Pundits can express their opinions and every fan who comes and pays their money maybe has a different opinion to you or I.
"It's the sort of thing you just have to put up with. Some of the press has been a little bit negative, but such is life.
"To call our performance 'shameful' on Saturday was a little bit harsh, but everyone has the right to an opinion and that was his opinion, so fair enough."
The Republic almost toppled the World Cup holders after St Ledger, who has been loaned to Middlesbrough by Preston, put them back in front with his first international goal late on.
They are now amongst the four unseeded teams that finished as group runners-up so will have to overcome a similar test in November against either France, Greece, Portugal or Russia.
"We are going to be coming up against a very good team, so we are probably going to have to step up another level," St Ledger added.
"That's the nature of being in the play-offs. The best teams have got through to the World Cup and now the remaining ones are there.
"They are there for a reason, we are there for a reason and they are going to be really, really tough games.
"Whoever we are going to get at this stage is going to be a tough team to play, but I feel we can beat anybody.
"We are unbeaten in the campaign, and I would imagine it's a long time since that has happened.
"That's what the boss has brought in here, a lot of steel, grit and mentality not to lose."
