Mick McCarthy: I would love to see John O'Shea get the Ireland job

The performance of the Boys in Green, in and out of possession, during the 0-0 draw with the Belgians, who are currently placed fourth in the FIFA World rankings, along with Lee Carsley officially ruling himself out of the running for the role, has led to many calling for the Waterford native to be given the opportunity.

And speaking on Virgin Media ahead of the clash with the Swiss, McCarthy and his fellow panelist Damien Delaney gave their backing to former Manchester United defender, who has won 118 caps with Ireland.

“I heard people saying we could do worse and I take real exception to that,” began McCarthy.

“I watched the game on Saturday and I thought the team were excellent, in possession out of possession they were very well organised.

“We should have won the game. I know we missed a penalty – Evan slipped - and had a couple of good chances.

“They had one shot on our goal, I don’t think there was any danger at all, Caoimhin Kelleher made a great save.

“I’ve been in the hotel with them I can just feel the warmth towards him, they all respect him. He’s coached probably eight or nine of them already and played with two or three of them.

“I think his standing in the game is very good, I thought he was excellent in what he said, how he conducted himself. He’s going to be a manager, there’s no doubt about it and I think if they give it to him for two years.. if we give it to a foreign guy from somewhere after two years if we don’t qualify will he go?

Or are they going to give him four years? I’d give it to John O’Shea for two years and see what happens because I think he would progress and do well in it.

“He’s been coaching for five years at different clubs admittedly but he’s been the assistant manager at the 21s and he played at such a high level, he played for Alex Ferguson all the time.

“I’m all for giving it to John because I think he would do a great job and if after two years – he knows all the players, he’s coached half that team anyway that have come through the 21s – why not?

“They may have already done it, they said they were going to do it in April, I would love to see him get it.

“I think he’s got a great standing in the game and I loved what he did the other night, I enjoyed that game.”

Damien Delaney added; “He certainly carries himself like a manager.

“Just watching him talk, he has a calmness about him, an assuredness about him. He looks ready, I agree with Mick, he looks ready to be a manager.

“I wouldn’t be adverse to the idea of him getting the job and developing as we’re developing as a nation so the team and John are progressing simultaneously.

“If you offered me John O’Shea or Willy Sagnol, I’m taking John O’Shea all day.”