Whelan groovy in Sofia

CALL it Trap’s alchemy – a sorcerer’s ability to turn base metal into gold.

When Glenn Whelan made his senior debut against Serbia in what was Giovanni Trapattoni’s first game as manager of Ireland, few would have guessed that the largely unheralded midfielder with then Championship side Stoke City would become a mainstay of the new regime, starting every international until last Friday’s friendly against Nigeria when he only entered the fray around the hour mark.

And even that was a backhanded vote of confidence, the Italian clearly intent on ensuring that one of his most valued charges would be in good nick for tomorrow’s pivotal World Cup qualifier in Sofia.