Royal trio open the Trap door

IRELAND’S new management team have only just got their feet under the desk in Abbotstown, but already they must be wondering why their presence was demanded in the first place.

Two of Giovanni Trapattoni’s assistants — Marco Tardelli and Liam Brady — were at the Madejski on Saturday and both would have left baffled at how Ireland could have failed so feebly in the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign.

Stephen Hunt, Kevin Doyle and Shane Long were all exceptional in engineering a precious 2-0 victory for Reading, which lifted them away from the relegation zone at the perfect time.

Long scored the opening goal, after good link-up play with strike partner Doyle, while Hunt was the heartbeat of the side.

“I found out after the game that two of the Ireland assistants were here, so the goal could not have come in a better game,” said Long. “It was nice for them to show an interest.

“We need a few more wins to get clear of the dreaded relegation zone, and this was certainly a good day.”

Long may not have been aware of the pair’s presence, but Doyle certainly was.

“I was told beforehand,” he said. “It was nice to put in a win in front of them and it’s a good job they did not see us three weeks ago!

“I think all three of us Irish lads did well. I set up a goal and had not had that feeling in a while.”

Richard Dunne was forced to have nine stitches in a shin gash after a collision with Hunt in the first half.

“It was a 50-50 challenge and they know each other from Ireland,” said Reading’s John Oster. “Dunney is a gentle giant, he’ll get on with it and hopefully the injury is not to serious.

“Steve has always been committed, he’s come from the lower divisions and had to wait for his chance here. He’s taken that chance and good luck to him.

“You need everyone firing in our situation, and the one thing you can not question Hunty for is giving 100% on a Saturday.”

READING (4-4-2): Hahnemann 6, Rosenior 6, Bikey 8, Ingimarsson 6, Shorey 5, Oster 7, Harper 6, Matejovsky 6 (Cisse 79, 5), Hunt 7, Doyle 7, Long 8 (Kitson 82, 6).

Subs Not Used: Federici, Sonko, Kebe.

MANCHESTER CITY (4-4-2): Hart 7, Garrido 5, Corluka 4, Dunne 4 (Jihai 29, 5), Ball 5, Hamann 5 (Castillo 67, 5), Gelson 6, Vassell 4 (Caicedo 59, 5), Elano 5, Johnson 5, Benjani 5.

Subs Not Used: Schmeichel, Ireland.

REFEREE: Uriah Rennie (South Yorkshire) 7: Only two bookings, which made a change. Effective handling of an easy game.

MATCH RATING: *** Polished performance from Reading, and badly needed in their battle against the drop.