Trap keeps cool in heated build-up

SHOULD Giovanni Trapattoni feel the need to give his charges any extra motivation before their crunch World Cup qualifier against Bulgaria tonight, he could do worse than pin the thoughts of Nasko Sirakov on the wall in the dressing room in the Vassil Levksi stadium.

While coach Stanimir Stoilov yesterday spoke of the difficult challenge the Irish will present, Sirakov, the current national team general manager and former player, was making dismissive remarks about the visitors and suggesting that the Bulgarians are much the superior side.

“I expect us to win, nothing else,” he said. “No two matches are alike but our players have all the ingredients necessary for success. Let us not get carried away – Ireland are not exactly a force in football, like France, Italy or Germany. We have always beaten them in Sofia and I expect the trend to continue. And I expect (Dimitar) Berbatov, after his disappointment in Rome, to shine and be our best player.”

Trapattoni refused to rise to the bait when the quotes were read out to him at yesterday’s pre-match press conference but left no one in any doubt that he expects Sirakov will have to eat his words tonight.

“Some people are diplomatic and there are others who say, ‘okay, we are strong, we go and win’,” he said. “It’s important that we show him we are a good team. We must believe in our own mentality and our own style of play. We have already shown everyone that we can play against the strongest teams – like (against Italy) in Bari. There are no teams that are unbeatable.”

Paul McShane was the only Irish player ruled out of the game after yesterday evening’s final training session at the national stadium, with Trapattoni expressing confidence that all the players who had been nursing knocks in the build-up this week – chief among them Robbie Keane, Caleb Folan, Richard Dunne. Glenn Whelan and Shay Given – would be fit to play.

But while the manager will not officially unveil his starting 11 until later today, he did confirm that Preston North End’s impressive centre half Sean St Ledger will make his competitive debut alongside Richard Dunne in the heart of the Irish defence – assuming the Manchester City man doesn’t suffer any late reaction the knee injury which has restricted his training all week – and Hull’s Caleb Folan will partner Robbie Keane in attack.

Trapattoni also revealed that, as expected, Reading’s Stephen Hunt has been rewarded for his fine game in Bari, by being chosen ahead of Celtic’s Aiden McGeady tonight, though the manager added that he would not hesitate to make a substitution on the flanks if required.

For his counterpart Stanimir Stoilov, midfielder Stanislav Angelov remains a doubt for a game which, the manager conceded, his team have to win if they are to keep their World Cup qualification hopes alive.

Meanwhile, Trapattoni has effectively confirmed that he sent end of season greetings to Stephen Ireland recently. In a clear sign that the manager is determined to keep the door open to the absentee Manchester City player, the Italian reportedly contacted him to congratulate him on his fine season and being named his club’s player of the year.

When asked about the reports yesterday, Trapattoni initially attempted to dodge the question saying “today is about Bulgaria”. But then he went on: “I have contacted Stephen Reid, I have contacted Glenn Whelan, I have contacted Robbie some times to say congratulations. Some times when I am in Italy and I see a game (on TV) I call them or send them a text. But today is about Ireland against Bulgaria. I don’t want to talk about anything else.”