ALEX RAE insisted last night that Mick McCarthy can have the same stunning impact on Sunderland that Peter Reid enjoyed, and claimed: "He's a born leader and a winner."

Rae, who played alongside and under McCarthy at Millwall before spending more than five years at Sunderland, is adamant the new Black Cats manager will replicate Reid's achievement in overseeing an immediate and long-lasting transformation in the struggling club's fortunes.

The former Sunderland midfielder doubts that McCarthy can steer his new charges to Premiership safety in their final nine games of the season.

But after two years of decline under Reid and the hapless Howard Wilkinson, Rae is confident McCarthy will be a long-term success at the club he left for Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2001.

He said: "Sunderland have got Mick at a good time. He's young enough and enthusiastic enough to take the club on a five, six or seven-year run.

"That will benefit the club. He'll be wanting to prove a point and make sure Sunderland are in the Premiership.

"The ingredients at Sunderland are right; Mick just has to get the right team. I know from having played with him that he was a born leader. He did very well at Celtic and Manchester City, and he was appreciated everywhere he went for being a winner.

"He's got the enthusiasm that you need to do well, and I'm sure that will shine through.

"Mick was very vocal and passionate about the game, and what's also good for Sunderland is he likes to play football. I'm sure he'll have the team entertaining the fans.

"I'm pleased for the big man to get the Sunderland job, and he will thrive there. Mick was very young and learning his trade when he took over at Millwall, but he was someone who always knew what he wanted.

"He took on the Ireland job after that, and that was ideal for him. I'm sure that, ten years down the line, he's a lot more experienced.

"Mick was my manager for about four years, and I'm sure he and Ian Evans will do well. They're a good partnership."

Rae, 33, could find himself a division above Sunderland next season as Wolves close on a place in the play-offs while his old club contemplate a probable relegation.

The Scot has looked on with increasing sadness as the Black Cats have fallen from grace since they reached second place in January 2001.

He added: "It will be very tough for Mick to keep Sunderland in the Premiership.

"I think they need to win about six of their last nine games, so he might just be assessing the players for the rest of the season.

"It's a very tall order, but if anyone can do it he can. Sunderland were on a good run, with two seventh-place finishes, and it's unfortunate they never built on it.

"But they've got a fantastic fan base and I'm sure there will be good times ahead for Sunderland.

"I'm sure the public will support Mick from day one. Bolton is such an important game, but the fans will turn out in numbers and get right behind him."

* Republic of Ireland manager Brian Kerr has recalled Sunderland's Jason McAteer to the squad for the crucial European Championship Group 10 clashes with Georgia and Albania.

Ireland face Georgia in Tblisi on March 29, and then take on Albania in Tirana four days later.

Sunderland clubmate Kevin Kilbane is also included along with Newcastle pair Shay Given and Andy O'Brien.

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