'I would, yes' - Nathan Collins backs John O'Shea for permanent Republic of Ireland gig

Republic of Ireland defender Nathan Collins says he would like to see John O'Shea get the manager's job on a permanent basis.

Ex-Manchester United and Ireland defender O'Shea was in interim charge of the Boys in Green for Saturday's scoreless friendly draw with Belgium and Tuesday night's 1-0 defeat to Switzerland at the Aviva Stadium.

The FAI are set to announce the permanent successor to Stephen Kenny in early April and, speaking after the Switzerland match, O'Shea said he feels "more than ready and capable to be a manager" following this month's experience.

When asked by RTÉ Sport's John Kenny if he would like to see O'Shea's interim role become permanent, Ireland and Brentford centre-back Collins was unequivocal, replying: "I would, yes."

The Kildare native also spoke positively of the impact of O'Shea's temporary backroom team which includes Crystal Palace first-team coach Paddy McCarthy, Glenn Whelan and former Ireland manager Brian Kerr.

"I guess it's a fresh start. I think you can see in the coaches and manager that they're youthful but we also have that twist of experience with Brian there," he said.

"So they give us that and the lads have worked hard. They've given us tactics and we've trusted them and it's worked out well.

"I know we haven't got the result, I know we haven't won, we drew (against Belgium) but I think you can see that we've gone both games where you think, 'should have won that'.

"Finding that cutting edge is the difference but we're close I think and the lads have been really good."

On Tuesday night, Ireland were undone by Xherdan Shaqiri's first-half free-kick which beat goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu in the 23rd minute.

However, despite that setback and the inability to get on terms on the scoreboard,