Keane pulled no punches yesterday in a tirade against the Football Association of Ireland, manager Steve Staunton and his players.

The Sunderland manager and former Republic captain accused the FAI and Staunton of settling for mediocrity, while claiming members of the squad were being selected on past reputations.

Ahead of Ireland's crucial Euro 2008 qualifying double-header with Wales this Saturday and Slovakia on Wednesday, Keane's barbs will not sit well with FAI chief executive John Delaney or Staunton.

They may, however, serve a purpose and stoke the fires of a squad moments away from utter humiliation against San Marino last month.

Keane further berated the team for celebrating the late winner in Serravalle, a goal that barely managed to keep Staunton in a job.

Staunton refused to be drawn into the row and said last night: "He has his own opinions, and that's his opinion. I'm here to deal with Ireland. The boys are here, training away.

"Roy has done a wonderful job at Sunderland. That's his job - he picks his team. I've my team here, and I'll pick mine."

But Liverpool full-back Finnan insists he and his Republic team-mates are not resting on any laurels, and are giving their all in a bid to reach next summer's finals in Switzerland and Austria.

"He is entitled to his opinion," remarked Finnan when asked about Keane's comments.

"To be honest, I don't think there were too many celebrations over in San Marino.

"It obviously wasn't a good result, not the one we were looking for. We just got the job done.

"But we didn't celebrate as if we had qualified or anything like that. We were just grateful to win the game.

"Some of the criticism that followed was rightly justified. The manager taking more stick than most.

"For not playing as well as we can, we had to expect some. But he has brought in a lot of young players. It's a transitional period.

"After failing to qualify for the last two tournaments, he has come in at a fairly difficult time.

"He has had to change things, and because of that he should be given time."

Despite Ireland's turbulent start to the campaign, Finnan insists everyone within the Ireland camp is pulling in the same direction.

"We're not just playing for ourselves - we're doing it for the manger, our country and the fans," claimed Finnan.

"We all want to go in the right direction and qualify for this tournament. We definitely believe we can do that.

"There's a good squad here, and we have to believe. We can't go ruling ourselves out, even if we did make a disappointing start with the two defeats.

"But while there are games to be won, and in particular with these two home games coming up, we have to believe we can do it.

"It might come down to certain games later on in what is a tough group, but we've still a chance."

Ready to wreck that chance is a player Finnan knows only too well in Liverpool team-mate Craig Bellamy.

The Wales striker has endured something of a rollercoaster ride in his first season at Anfield following a £6million summer move from Blackburn.

A recent training camp bust-up with John Arne Riise saw Bellamy hit the headlines again for all the wrong reasons.

Finnan, though, has not been surprised at the way Bellamy simply shrugs off all the controversy that surrounds him.

"He has been involved in off-the-field problems throughout his career," remarked Finnan.

"The recent one was disappointing it happened, but he has a strong mentality, a strong character, and he doesn't let what is going on off the field affect him.

"I guess these things have happened to him that much he is used to them, so he just gets on with his football."

Bellamy has certainly proved that with his performances, scoring seven goals in his last 17 appearances after a slow start to life as a Red.

"He is a very good player who can cause a lot of problems," added Finnan.

"I've got to know him first hand this season, and he is someone who will not give the defenders any time on the ball.

"He is willing to run into the space, and that makes him a difficult player to play against."