Is Trap biding time before unleashing McClean?
A wildcard turned trump card. Schillaci almost became the trick that made Azeglio Vicini a hero on home soil.
Giovanni Trapattoni joined Schillaci back at Juventus the year after that tournament. Toto scored about as many goals for Trap that season as he managed in four weeks two summers before.
Surely, somewhere in their relationship, Trap learned the value of surprise. That’s why, even after yesterday’s squad announcement, James McClean can’t be written off.
That’s the line we’re going with anyway. Because we don’t want to make a fuss about James McClean, help make him another cause. Because, if we do, he has no chance. We might as well hand him a guitar and invite him to serenade outside Trap’s house in the dead of the Milanese night.
In truth, it’s far too early anyway to build a compelling case. Like Capello’s England, if they had made the latter stages, Ireland won’t be setting out to win games this summer, they’ll be assembled and drilled not to lose.
With a system that often leaves us out-manned in the middle, the priority with our wide men isn’t improvisation. Work-rate, discipline and good habits will be as central to our success as the promise of inspiration.
Trap already has three players who can do that job. Loyalty, in that regard, brings its own rewards. Maybe, there’s no point yet in unsettling the men who have brought us this far.
Somewhere along the way, however, we’ll need a goal or two. McClean might not bring us six but if he maintains his current progress, Trap will surely be tempted. This summer, we may be all surprised.
