JACK Charlton yesterday expressed the gratitude of his family for the tribute paid to his mother at Lansdowne Road on Wednesday.

A minute's silence was observed before the start of the Republic of Ireland's game against Russia in memory of Mrs Elizabeth "Cissie" Charlton who died on Tuesday.

"I have just heard of the tribute which was paid to my mother at Lansdowne Road on Wednesday and I cannot begin to express the gratitude of my family to both the FAI and the Irish public," he said.