O’Brien plays down Trap rift speculation

BOLTON defender Joey O’Brien yesterday moved to dismiss speculation of a rift with Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni.

The three-times capped Dubliner, who can play in both defence and midfield, was thought to be considering his future after failing to force his way into Trapattoni’s plans.

O’Brien was particularly irked at being omitted for Ireland World Cup qualifier against Cyprus last October when Ireland were hit by a host of withdrawals.

“I’m gutted about the whole thing. The manager is the manager and he’s a great manager, but I’m not in his plans,’’ O’Brien was quoted as saying.

“When you look at the team that played against Cyprus, it proved to me how far down the list I was.

“Look at the right-back or centre midfield positions where I play — we were missing the first and second-choice right-backs in Steve Finnan and Stephen Kelly, and there was even a lad on the bench ahead of me. In the middle, I must be about fifth-choice.’’

However O’Brien, who has been out for the last three months due to a thigh problem, moved to explain those comments yesterday, insisting that it is up to him to force his way into Trapattoni’s plans.

“It’s up to me to get back in the team here and then put myself for the Ireland side.

“I said I was frustrated going away with Ireland and sitting in the stand.

“But I never ever said I would quit.

“I was walking around in an Ireland tracksuit claiming I was an Ireland player when obviously I didn’t feel like I was.

“However, I still love playing for my country.’’

Meanwhile Dundee United’s on-loan midfielder Willo Flood says a transfer to Celtic would be a “dream move”. The 23-year-old is out of contract at Cardiff in the summer and Celtic have been strongly linked with the player.

“Celtic are a huge club and if it happens it’s fair to say it would be a dream move for me,’’ said Flood.

“It’s every player’s ambition to play at the highest level, but as long as I’m a Dundee United player I’ll give 100% for Craig Levein.

“The manager has asked me about the situation but all I can tell him is that I know as much as he does at the moment. Unless I hear otherwise it’s business as usual for me.’’