Ireland will live to regret decision

GIOVANNI TRAPATTONI has expressed his disappointment at Stephen Ireland’s decision not to resume his Irish career and suggested that the player could live to regret it.

At the weekend, the Manchester City midfielder said that retiring from international football was the best decision he ever made but, speaking at the squad’s training base in Malahide yesterday, the Ireland manager begged to differ.

“It’s a pity, it’s a pity,” said the Italian, spreading his arms wide in a gesture of resignation. “I have said this before but I am convinced that when he is a little bit older he will regret it. He is still young and he doesn’t know that in the future, when he will is an old man, he will realise what he is missing at this moment.”