Bruce tells Reid say sorry to Trap

SORRY might seem to be the hardest word, but Steve Bruce is convinced it might be the only way for Andy Reid to resurrect his international career.

The uneasy 13-month stand-off between Reid and Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni has been brought into sharper focus by the imminent World Cup qualifying play-off in which a significant number of supporters and pundits feel the Sunderland midfielder should be involved.

Trapattoni continues to insist it’s nothing personal in omitting the 27-year-old, who has intensified calls for his return with a string of impressive displays since forcing his way back into the Sunderland side thanks to a rigorous summer fitness programme.

It saw a player who has endured constant scrutiny over his weight lose almost 20 lbs.

Since then Reid has gone from a peripheral figure to a first-team mainstay in the new manager’s four-month tenure.

Bruce concedes he has not been asked to help soothe a clearly tetchy relationship between what he tellingly terms the ‘warring parties’.

But when pressed, Bruce suggests it is perhaps his player and not the manager who should be offering an olive branch in an effort to help thaw the frosty relationship that has followed a reported falling out in the wake of the World Cup qualifier against Georgia last September.

Since that point Reid, a regular under Steve Staunton, has not added to his collection of 27 caps.

“Whether Andy feels there’s an apology owing, you’ll have to ask him,” Bruce said. “There’s obviously been a fall-out, that’s for sure, and whether that’s going to repair you’ll have to ask the warring parties.

“If I was asked my opinion then I’d give it to Mr Trapattoni or to Andy, but I believe there’s got to be an apology maybe somewhere because I think that’s what it boils down to.”

Bruce added: “I can only go from personal experience, but he’s done fantastically well since I’ve been here. It’s not my job to pick the Irish national team but all he can do is to keep playing for us the way he has and keep that debate going.”

Bruce admitted Reid’s weight had been an issue at club level.

“I know for a fact he’s never felt better. He’s now performing week-in, week-out. We all knew he had ability, but physically we all used to look at him and think ‘it’s not right is it?’

“Thankfully he’s put that behind him. Why he didn’t do it years ago is probably a maturity thing. He’s probably asking himself ‘why haven’t I been like this for the last five years?’”

Hopefully the impasse with Trapattoni will be resolved rather more swiftly.