Old dog learns new tricks along the way

JUST because Mick McCarthy has dusted up the old ways with a new passing broom doesn't mean that the Republic of Ireland don't have a few old tricks up their sleeve. And an old dog with some new tricks.

Eastern European opposition was traditionally vulnerable to the aerial assault under the old regime and on all available evidence it's patently clear that McCarthy regards the oldest World Cup campaigner of them all tomorrow, Tony Cascarino, as again the biggest threat to the Macedonians.

They seem to be palpitating at facing their tormentor in chief from last October once again and he himself is aware of this potential Macedonian achilles heel. But, any striker is dependent on other factors. As he says, "a good service" and "getting plenty of people into the box," are equally important.

Nevertheless, an Irish target man remains de rigeur, particularly for this game. Hence Cascarino was a certain starter once he had overcome nagging hamstring problems. "Rarin' to go," says the 34-year-old striker who has been limited to ten appearances (and a creditable nine goals) for the struggling French first division side Nancy.

"I think everyone's been aware that since I've gone to France (over two seasons ago) I've probably worked harder than I did when I was 20. I know you have to work harder when you get older but from getting up and training every day, twice a day, I think I've felt the benefit."

Cascarino is yet further living proof that the English clubs can continue to benefit from imbibing continental ways, and perhaps imbibing less of their own. In addition to diet there's the climate.

"I played in Marseilles, where the weather is great and you go training twice a day and I've just enjoyed every minute of it. And I think the confidence of playing, well and scoring goals carried on. I've gone on to Nancy who are struggling and I still have a good ratio for the French league."

Alas, relegation at club level now looks a probability more than a possibility. "We're going to need a helluva run to get out of it. But I've played well enough. They bought me to score goals and I've done that for them. Unfortunately the opposition have tended to score more than me," he adds with a laugh.

Though he has another year on his contract, there has been speculation of a move to another first division club, particularly if Nancy are demoted. If the truth be told, the easy-going Cascarino has been luckier than most with transfers in his career, and by far the most fortuitous was the move to Marseilles.

"I like the life in France and it's been a very enjoyable period in my life. Marseilles was fantastic for me. It's such a special place to play football in."

Cascarino acknowledges that the continental ways have extended his career, and adheres to the old maxim at international level of one game, at a time: "I always try and think of it as my last."

In times past, it was usually 15 minutes at a time for the Republic of Ireland's record holder of substitute appearances. "Jack labelled me with that tag and I always felt it was a bit unfair, because when I did start playing for Ireland in a lot of games I felt I'd done okay."

I think he (Jack) meant it was more a case of me scaring the opposition for 15 or 20 minutes at the end of games with maybe me and Niall (Quinn) together. But my fitness is a lot better than that."

"When you're younger it's okay but as you get older I don't think it's very enjoyable to be having bit parts in games. I love playing for Ireland. I've come from all over the world to play in friendly games. That's how much I enjoy it."

For all that, he accepts that the recent Welsh friendly did not see him at his best but adds: "I'm a much better player when we have something to qualify for."

The playing links with Jack Charlton diminish with every withdrawal of Paul McGrath, Ray Houghton and Co., leaving Cascarino as not only Ireland's oldest player tomorrow but also" the last playing link with the Eoin Hand era.

You sense the 67-times capped striker needed the fresh challenge McCarthy has provided as much as anyone. Some of us knew Mick as a player and personally I was really surprised by Mick. I think he's been a breath of fresh air in a lot of ways because I never thought Mick would be the type of manager he is. I thought he'd be the real strong, like a tyrant, type. But he's anything but that."

"He listens to the players and his training is very, very good. For me I've been really impressed by Mick. As I've said, when Jack did eventually go Mick has come in and everybody seems to have got a bounce about them again.

Notions of equalling John Aldridge's 20-goal Irish record, Cascarino is six shy of it, be leaves to the likes of Keith O'Neill and David Connolly. But his desire has never been stronger.

"Since we lost to Holland I was thinking `what do I do? What do I do?' Then I thought `Well how do I feel myself?' And I felt good so I thought I'd give it all my best. I've been to two World Cups and both have been a bit of a disaster for me."

Dropped by Charlton after the dismal 0-0 draw against Egypt in Italia '90 was a big confidence knock to me. It took a lot out of me, and in America I was injured the whole time. So really I'm going for my third World Cup thinking `well, can I go there and play?' And I've played in France for the last two and a half years. So to me it would be like the pinnacle of my career really."

Next stop here in Skopje. Cascarino re-asserts McCarthy's repeated assertions that the Irish daren't underestimate the technically proficient Macedonians on the basis of misleading 3-0 and 4-0 defeats to the Republic and Romania after chucking in the towel when the second goals were conceded.

"If you start taking games lightly you're always going to have bad results. You can't win halfheartedly. We had a situation in Liechtenstein when we went there and drew 0-0. The only reason we drew 0-0 there was because we didn't prepare right. We just thought we had to turn up. You can't allow that to happen in international football. That result cost us a lot; probably qualification."

After this he returns to Nancy on his own via Zurich in what he describes as "a bomber, some army plane. It'll be a long trip if we don't get the right result."