Kenny Cunningham: Set to lead men in green. (Photo/Empics)

Steve Staunton stood in as skipper at the World Cup finals after Keane was sent home following an acrimonious bust-up with Republic boss McCarthy.

But the veteran Aston Villa player has now retired from international football, leaving Cunningham as the man in charge for the forthcoming Euro 2004 qualifying campaign.

The 31-year-old Dubliner takes up the armband in a tough Group 10 meeting against Russia at Moscow's Lokomotiv Stadium on Saturday.

And, following a summer of controversy with Keane's tongue-lashings apparently only starting with his outburst at McCarthy and the Republic's World Cup preparations, the Ireland boss praised the qualities of his new skipper.

'Kenny is a great organiser, knows his game and will be a calming influence among the rest of the squad,' he said.

'I have known him since he was a youngster when I was manager of Millwall. He was unfortunate to miss out on most of the World Cup finals because of injury, but when he came on against Spain in our final match he did very well.'

McCarthy added: 'When I told him after our final training session in Dublin on Wednesday morning, I know he was delighted. He's a very ambitious player and a good leader for the campaign.'

Cunningham, who will win his 42nd cap against the Russians, admitted he was 'very humbled' by the honour bestowed on him by McCarthy.

'It's a fantastic honour although I have captained my country on a couple of occasions in the past.

'Now there is a real determination to get out of the blocks as quickly as possible in Moscow for this European Championship campaign. There's real determination in the squad as we fly out to Moscow on Thursday morning.

'There are plenty of leaders in the side - guys like Gary Breen, Mark Kinsella and Matt Holland. Now we will be judged on our performances as individuals and as a team.'

Manchester United's John O'Shea was a late arrival in Dublin after being involved in the Old Trafford squad's 1-0 victory over Middlesbrough on Tuesday evening.