Niall Quinn has identified the decision of the Football Association of Ireland to name Roy Keane as assistant boss as a crucial factor in helping the Republic of Ireland reach Euro 2016.
Ireland secured their place at the competition in France next year as a brace from Jonathan Walters fired them to a 2-0 victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina in the second leg of their playoff at the Aviva Stadium.
Quinn, who hired Keane as Sunderland manager in 2006, believes that the former Manchester United midfielder had an important role in guiding the young players in Martin O'Neill's squad to success in their qualifying campaign.
"Making Roy his number was controversial at the time," Quinn told Sky Sports News.
"The FAI I am sure were asked questions about that and must have thought, 'is it the right thing?' But they went with it and Irish football is the winner because for Martin, his CV just goes on and it is brilliant for him.
"But for Roy, it is not a rehabilitation, but it is him stamping his authority as a number two, putting little things that end up being big things to a group of young players that are emerging and have had the benefit of all his expertise and experience."
Ireland were knocked out at the group stage in the last tournament.
No Data Analysis info
Germany
Hungary
Scotland
Switzerland
Albania
Croatia
Italy
Spain
Denmark
England
Serbia
Slovenia
Austria
France
Netherlands
Poland
Belgium
Romania
Slovakia
Ukraine
Czech Republic
Georgia
Portugal
Turkey