Ready for the big stage

STEVE STAUNTON apparently didn’t even know his phone number, now he finds himself the apple of Giovanni Trapattoni’s eye. Yep, the world sure has turned for Glenn Whelan.

His selection in the heart of Ireland’s midfield for the Italian’s first game in charge against Serbia was surprising enough but few people expected him to be chief contender for the same jersey with the opening World Cup qualifier just a handful of days away.

It’s a dizzying rise but Whelan doesn’t come across as the excitable sort and a 10-minute conversation with the player is pockmarked by reminders that he has proven nothing yet. The real business, he stresses, is only about to start.