Tuesday 17 November 2015 11:51, UK
The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) should take credit for pairing Roy Keane with Martin O'Neill after the duo helped guide the Republic of Ireland to Euro 2016, says Niall Quinn.
Eyebrows were raised in November 2013 when the FAI announced that Keane would be O'Neill's assistant for the upcoming qualifying campaign for the 2016 European Championship in France.
Keane had been out of work since being sacked by Ipswich Town in January 2011, however the pair have formed an impressive working relationship, culminating in Monday night's play-off win over Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Sky Sports pundit Quinn thinks the FAI should take some of the praise for Ireland's achievement for having the foresight to team the two coaches together.
"Making Roy [Keane] his No 2 was controversial at the time," said Quinn after Ireland have overcome Bosnia 2-0 at the Aviva Stadium for a 3-1 aggregate success.
"The FAI, I am sure, were asked questions about that and must have thought, 'Is it the right thing?' But they went with it and Irish football is the winner because for Martin, his CV just goes on and it is brilliant for him.
"But for Roy, it is not a rehabilitation, but it is him stamping his authority as a No 2, putting little things that end up being big things to a group of young players that are emerging and have had the benefit of all his expertise and experience.
"They must have felt great over the last two years and it has all culminated in everything going so well and a trip to France. Everybody is now feeling great, so the FAI deserve a pat on the back."
Quinn, who scored 21 goals in 92 internationals for the Republic, also has words of praise for Ireland left-back Robbie Brady's display in Dublin.
Brady, who scored his country's crucial away goal in the first-leg clash in Zenica on Friday night, impressed once again for Ireland in the second leg.
The Norwich City full-back set up Jonathan Walters' second goal with a brilliant curling free-kick from the left with 20 minutes remaining.
"Brady has done it time and time again in this group, he is so confident now, he is whipping them in and putting them on a sixpence and it is causing all kinds of problems for the defence," Quinn added. "They do OK to get a half foot on it and get it out, or so it seems, but what a finish by Walters.
"It is textbook stuff as you often see players when that chance comes up in a big international take a slice at it, it does not come off for them and it goes over the bar, but he was textbook.
"He looks as though he is enjoying every moment of it, that is the real secret to it. It is so refreshing to see a player like him come along, take the game by the scruff of the neck and use all his ability, skills and crossing technique, they are a joy to watch.
"And he [Brady] is strengthening up, he has learnt more about playing at full-back and he has become a man in this tournament."
Brady has become a man in this tournament
Quinn claimed the Irish players would now be on cloud nine having qualified for their second European championship in a row.
"It is going to be fantastic for them," he said. "They will just feel so much better with themselves. As a player, you almost feel self-elevated into a new level again."
However, the former Republic international also recognised that Bosnia would be feeling aggrieved at the manner of Ireland's opener, a controversial penalty awarded by the extra official behind the goal after Bosnia defender Ervin Zukanovic had unintentionally handled Daryl Murphy's cross in the box.
Quinn added: "Bosnia must have felt really down with the penalty. It was so tough on them."
