Best: If Mum had spoken to ref she would have given him a right earful!

Byline: PAUL O'HEHIR

LEON BEST is still pinching himself about playing against world champions Italy - but his mum was nonplussed by it all.

His mother Irene flew over from England to watch her son in action for just the eighth time for club or country.

But while Croke Park exploded into life like never before, she was just annoyed that her son got booked! "She doesn't really like football! But that was still another boost for me.

"It goes over her head, She was just disappointed that I got the yellow! 'Why did he give you the yellow'" Best's partner's parents also travelled over while uncles and aunts here in Dublin also attended.

"It was unbelievable, it was definitely the biggest crowd I have played in front of," said the striker with four caps.

"We were disappointed not to win as we had them beat. But you have to look that they are World Champions.

"If you asked us for a draw before the game we probably would have said no as we needed to win the game. Any other team would have accepted it.

"Their goal was so late as well. It was like a knife in the back. But now when you look at it, it's a lot more positive.

"We showed again that we can play against the best and we're looking to win the game tomorrow."

Asked which of the seeded teams he would like in the playoff, Best added: "There is a lot of talk going on but I try and stay out of it.

"I'm not really bothered about it, it's all about getting to the World Cup."

Best has been on fire this season and he reckons that good form - six goals so far for Coventry - is all down to Giovanni Trapattoni.

And last night he thanked the Ireland boss for throwing him into the international frame, insisting it has given him incredible confidence.

"Everything that has been put in front of me has been a learning curve and I've loved it," he said.

"When he called me up it gave me hope, and all my form this season has been due to that. It's given me confidence and belief.

"It gives you massive confidence being on the bench and also a bit of pressure that you have to perform when you come on."

Best has struck up a mean partnership with Clinton Morrison at Coventry - but he revealed that his clubmate is gutted to be out of the Irish picture.

"We get on well on and off the pitch," added Best.

"I speak to him a lot of the time and he's disappointed he's not in the set-up any more. He'd love to be back in it."

CAPTION(S):

ONE BOOKING Aiden McGeady is one of four Ireland players who will face Montenegro with a threat of a ban hanging over them for the play-offs YELLOW Leon Best's mum was unhappy with the card he picked up at Croker