Staunton takes century in usual steady stride

Group E: Ireland captain wins 100th cap today but opponents' Polish-born striker is hoping to spoil party

Old Liverpool habits die hard. Steve Staunton may have left the club for Aston Villa twice, but he was long enough, and young enough, at Anfield, to have absorbed the ethos of the place into every pore of his body. Don't brag. Don't take anything for granted, least of all your place in the team. Never wind up the opposition. Be professional. If you fail to prepare, prepare to fail. It's a team game.

Asked a year ago, on the eve of his record-breaking 89th appearance for the Republic of Ireland in Estonia, how he felt about such an honour, he replied that "if selected", it would mean very little: "I'd settle for three points instead." He was selected and three points duly materialised, pushing the Irish a little closer to the World Cup finals.

Today he will become the first Irish footballer to represent his country 100 times, still giving the same answers to the same questions, hapless opposing forwards trying to break down an unyielding defence. "You'll become Ireland's most capped player, Steve, what does it mean to you?" "Yeah, there's a chance but there's also a chance that if we beat Germany we'll put ourselves in a great position, which is more important."

"But it must seem like a special occasion?" "It will do in a few years to come, but at this moment in time, the only thing I'm concentrating on is for us to come out of this group. It's just another cap, to be honest with you, if selected.

"I'm very surprised considering that 18 months ago I wasn't getting a game anywhere," he said. "These things happen and as far as I'm concerned you have got to get your head down and work hard when you are not in the team. Eventually you get your rewards."

This should not be taken as implying any lack of appreciation, or ingratitude. Far from it; having been eased out of the left-back position by Ian Harte and then sat around as an understudy in central defence until Kenny Cunningham was injured, Staunton is more pleased than he likes to let on to have regained a regular place and even taken the captain's armband from the man whose name is no longer mentioned in these parts.

Occasionally he lets slip a word or two to that effect: "After being a part of the squad for 12 or 13 years I thought it was maybe time to think about stepping aside, but I'm glad I didn't. You're very fortunate if you make one World Cup – I've been extremely fortunate to have three of them.

In 1990, he was at left-back throughout the memorable campaign in Italy, having been introduced for his first international against Tunisia two years earlier, as a 19-year-old.

In the United States he played in a five-man midfield, but suffered more than most from the midday sun and did not enjoy himself. Further tournaments would have followed, but for changes to the qualification system and three defeats in play-offs. "We were very unfortunate for four or five years not to qualify for the Europeans and the last World Cup," he said.

Characteristically, he will not confirm whether he is following Niall Quinn into retirement from the national team after this competition. There is no obvious need. Despite having been in the squad since 1988, he is still no older than 33, and would like that fact pointed out; the only time he becomes animated is when Kevin Kilbane, sitting alongside, talks about him "being one of my heroes as a kid".

Similarly he will not be drawn on whether management is a possible future career. "Some days you think about it, others I think it's not for me." If he does decide to take the plunge one day, it is safe to expect a Kenny Dalglish rather than a Barry Fry.

In the meantime, he'll take one game at a time and clearly feels quite rightly that today's is enough to be going on with. If selected, of course.