Giovanni Trapattoni had said he was concerned about the atmosphere and Alan Kelly had expressed worries about the flight of the ball, but, seemingly resigned to the roof in the Friends Arena being closed in Stockholm tomorrow night, Marco Tardelli now says it doesn’t really matter to the visitors.

LET’S hope it’s not an omen for the European Championship campaign. Ireland travelled all the way to Moscow yesterday but couldn’t get a result, as the Group B fixture meeting in the Russian capital ended without agreement.

REPUBLIC of Ireland boss Steve Staunton admits he regrets landing a one-game touchline ban but does not expect his absence to hamper chances of victory in Cyprus on October 7.

Republic of Ireland boss Steve Staunton admits he regrets landing a one-game touchline ban but does not expect his absence to hamper chances of victory in Cyprus on October 7.

THE cold chill that appears to hover over Old Trafford has nothing to do with the seasonal bad weather, more to do with the mindset of the manager.