NIIGATA (Japan), May 31: Ireland manager Mick McCarthy will urge his side to banish the haunting spectre of Roy Keane in their opener against Cameroon on Saturday.

McCarthy may welcome the chance to switch attention back to events on the field, but he knows only victory will be enough to justify his brave deeds at the end of what he called the “worst week of my life”.

He told reporters: “Footballers have a wonderful gift to walk over that white line and forget about other things going on, and not worry about anybody else.”

But given striker Niall Quinn’s admission that the players have been left “shattered” by the acrimonious Keane affair, McCarthy needs to summon the spirit of 1990 like never before.

Then, as a player under former coach Jack Charlton, McCarthy helped inspire Ireland to a quarter-final place at the tournament in Italy in their best-ever World Cup showing.

A similar display of collective responsibility could save Ireland’s blushes, and the possibility has not been lost on their opponents.

The 1990 finals also signalled the rise of African football in the shape of Cameroon, who progressed to the last eight.

Two successive first round exits in 1994 and 1998 may have stymied their progress, but few critics, having seen the Indomitable Lions earn creditable draws with Argentina and England recently, would belittle their lofty ambitions 12 years on.

Integral to his plans is a defence built around Geremi and Rigobert Song, who must avoid the ignominy of being sent off in three successive World Cups.

Having eliminated the Netherlands in a qualifying campaign that drew praise from all quarters, McCarthy’s stock could not have been higher.

Probable teams:

Ireland (4-4-2): 1-Shay Given; 2-Steve Finnan, 14-Gary Breen, 5-Steve Staunton, 3-Ian Harte; 7-Jason McAteer, 8-Matt Holland, 12-Mark Kinsella, 11-Kevin Kilbane; 9-Damien Duff, 10-Robbie Keane

Cameroon (4-4-2): 1-Boukar Alioum; 2-Bill Tchato, 5-Raymond Kalla, 4-Rigobert Song, 8-Geremi; 12-Lauren, 17-Marc-Vivien Foe, 2-Salomon Olembe, 3-Pierre Wome; 9-Samuel Eto’o, 10-Patrick Mboma

Referee: Toru Kamikawa (Japan)

Linesmen: Mat Lazim Awang Hamat (Malaysia), Roland van Nylen (Belgium)—Reuters