Andrews won't repeat insult

Andrews: Switches to Plan B

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Keith Andrews insists he will not reveal what Lassana Diarra said that lit the touch paper in Saturday's World Cup qualifier.

The red mist descended for Andrews when Diarra launched a verbal assault in Republic of Ireland's clash with France at Croke Park.

The Blackburn midfielder concedes the match was keenly contested and that he thought Diarra was going to shake his hand at the full-time whistle.

However, the former Chelsea and Arsenal man lashed out, unleashing emotions that Andrews was unable to contain.

He is against repeating what Diarra said, revealing only that they were disrespectful and typical of their opponents.

Disrespect

"I don't want to say exactly what he said. He knows what he said," he told reporters.

"It was a disrespectful comment which probably typifies them, to be honest.

"There was a bit of niggle in the game, anyway, but that's just football and it happens.

"When the final whistle went, I saw him walking towards me and I thought he was going to shake my hand.

"And he made a remark and, to be fair, I lost my head a little bit."

Plan B

Ireland's hopes of qualifying for South Africa were severely dented thanks to Nicolas Anelka's deflected second half goal.

Andrews and co had hoped to emerge from their home game with a positive result and the 29-year-old admits Giovanni Trapattoni's men will now turn to Plan B.

Asked about their dashed hopes of laying a foundation in Dublin, he replied: "That was certainly Plan A, but we have moved on to Plan B now where we have got to go to Paris and win.

"The main thing now is to keep a clean sheet - I don't think we will be going gung-ho in terms of throwing everything at the French team in the first half, certainly.

"We know we have got the players to score a goal. If we win 1-0 over there, then obviously, it's job done. It goes to extra-time and we would be happy with that."