Doyle wants to be a Republic legend

The £6.5million club-record signing is preparing to do battle tomorrow in Cyprus hoping to keep the Republic's qualifying bid on track for South Africa 2010.

But Doyle, who has six goals from 27 caps, is determined to emulate Jack Charlton's heroes of 1990 – when his Wolves boss Mick McCarthy was captain – and 1994.

He said: "If I play, and do well, in a World Cup then I will always be remembered in Ireland."

He has vivid memories of Big Jack's heroes and what a massive influence they had on him as a youngster growing up in Wexford.

The striker said: "As soon as the matches were over I was out on our front lawn, pretending to be goalkeeper Pat Bonner.

"When you think of Irish soccer you think of the Pat Bonners, Ronnie Whelans, Paul McGraths and John Aldridges. They are the country's heroes – because they did it in major tournaments.

"As for the rest of us – with the exception of Shay Given, Damien Duff and Robbie Keane, who all stood out in 2002 – none of us are really household names and won't be unless we go to a World Cup.

"For me, just to play in one tournament, would do. It's a modest aim. In 1994, I went to the homecoming in the Phoenix Park.

"Boyzone were the warm-up act. No one had heard of them then, and everyone was asking, 'who are these guys'?

"Then the players came on stage and I cheered my head off. It was great to be part of that then – but I'd like to be on the other side of the fence now."

Ireland will be looking to avoid a repeat of the humiliating draw in Cyprus, which put paid to their hopes of qualifying for Euro 2008 Championships.

Victory would set up the second-placed Irish for a play-off place with two qualifiers remaining.

They will have home advantage against Italy and Montenegro next month in Dublin.

Leaders Italy, who travel to Georgia, are only a point clear of Giovanni Trapattoni's side but have a game in hand.