Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni says that Ireland has no creative stars, but is convinced that a strong spirit makes up for it.

By close of play in the Friends Arena here in Stockholm tonight, we will know a little bit more about Giovanni Trapattoni and, in particular, whether there’s method to his madness or madness to his method.

Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni believes Leeds midfielder Paul Green could be Ireland’s answer to Gennaro Gattuso.

Chatting to Packie Bonner this week, ahead of Celtic’s cruel defeat in Barcelona, I was somewhat taken aback when he didn’t hesitate for a second to hail Lionel Messi as the greatest footballer of all time.

OUR football correspondent LIAM MACKEY is back in top form and full of energy. He casts his eye over your comments and gives his own critical analysis of the goings on throughout the world of football. You may agrewith him or then again you may not.

A visit to the Aviva Stadium the night before last, for the launch of John Giles’ autobiography, in the company of a jovial cast of hundreds including Nobby Stiles, Liam Brady, Eamon Dunphy, Ray Treacy, Mick Martin, Packie Bonner and many more familiar faces from the world of football.

JACK CHARLTON looks down on the immaculate, sun-splashed pitch of the Aviva Stadium from the lofty perch of the FAI suite and allows his mind to wander back 24 years to the same place but a very different venue.

AND the big news from the squad announcement for the games against Russia and Slovakia is that, well, there’s no big news really.

World Cup winner Nobby Stiles MBE reassured fans about his health today after suffering a “very minor” stroke.

Robbie Williams and Russell Brand were unveiled today as stars of the team for a re-boot of football anthem '3 Lions'.

BOBBY CHARLTON yesterday led the tributes at the funeral of fellow “Busby Babe” and Manchester United legend Albert Scanlon.

FORMER Manchester United midfielder Roy Keane has been voted the “hardest footballer of all time”. – despite hanging up his boots almost three years ago.

If football teams are inspired by great deeds of yesteryear then Manchester United should have every chance of progressing to the Champions League knockout stages when they take on Benfica tomorrow night in the Stadium of Light.

CELTIC manager Martin O’Neill has been named eircom/FAI International Personality of the Year for 2004.

England World Cup hero Nobby Stiles today said he was ‘‘feeling great’’ despite suffering a heart attack earlier this month.