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.”