Trap set to hit back at ‘arrogance’ allegations
Trapattoni will announce his squad today for the defining World Cup Group 8 qualifiers against Italy and Montenegro next month, with the Manchester City midfielder again a notable absentee.
And any prospect of Ireland being parachuted into the squad if the Republic make it to South Africa next year appear to be dead now after another attack on the Irish set-up – this time specifying the Italian. “When I met Trapattoni for a chat last season, I felt there was a lot of arrogance going on,” Ireland told the Daily Mirror last weekend. “We were in the middle of chatting and he kept leaving the room to answer one of the four phones he had on him.”
Sources close to the Irish manager have dismissed the claims as fantasy, insisting that they have never seen Trapattoni with two phones, much less four.
Added Ireland in the interview: “We didn’t speak after that until this summer, when he called me. But I think he (Trap) made that call for his own benefit, rather than mine. He said, ‘Is it ok if I tell the press I’ve spoken to you and there’s a chance of you coming back?’
“I said, ‘You can tell people we’ve spoken and maybe we’ll meet up in the future, but don’t say there’s a chance of me coming back because there probably isn’t’.
“As soon as he switched from talking about meeting up with me to announcing it to the press I knew what his agenda was.”
The veteran Italian is weary of dealing with the Ireland issue, but will address it head on today in a bid to set the record straight and draw a line under the issue. Privately, the Italian is of the view that there’s no turning back now for the Manchester City star.
Ireland was involved in further drama after Wednesday night’s extra time Carling Cup victory over Fulham at Eastlands. He finished up in hospital after being substituted, complaining of dizziness and feeling unwell in the 75th minute.
However, City have confirmed that nothing was found wrong with the 23-year-old, who will now take some time to rest before resuming training.
The City midfielder, known as one of the fittest players at the club, was taken to Accident and Emergency at Wythenshawe Hospital.
The 23-year-old had complained of feeling dizzy and unwell during the Carling Cup match and was substituted. A 999 call was made from the ground to emergency services at 10.26pm. An ambulance arrived two minutes later and he was taken to hospital with its lights flashing
Ireland was kept in until the early hours while tests were carried out. It is understood they all came back clear and he was allowed home between 3am and 4am.
One spectator said: “He was struggling in the second half but it wasn’t clear that he had an injury. At one point, he signalled to the bench as if he couldn’t see properly and he crouched down at several points holding his head.”
Ireland is known for his vigorous exercise regime. He underwent an intensive programme at a martial arts school in Glossop and while most players took an end of season break over the summer he continued with his workouts.
The Cork-born player regularly goes hill running and lifts weights outside office ours. He also kick boxes.
Earlier this season he spoke about his regime.
He said: “I want to lead. I want the players, staff and manager to be able to trust me. I want them to know they can rely on me. I want to put my body on the line and that’s why I do extra training.”
Meanwhile Steven Reid’s return to the Republic squad will be confirmed by Trapattoni today following the midfielder’s timely return to action for Blackburn Rovers on Tuesday.
Reid played 75 minutes of the 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest in the third round of the League Cup and came through unscathed.
Reid admitted last week that he is hoping for a call-up, saying: “We’ve got the games against Italy and Montenegro next month and it’s looking like hopefully we’re going to finish second in the group. You never know though, Italy might slip up.”
However, there was some concerning news about the fitness of Celtic winger Aiden McGeady, who picked up an ankle injury in the 4-0 CIS Cup third-round win at Falkirk on Wednesday.
Celtic assistant manager Peter Grant said: ‘‘We’ll assess it today. Thankfully, he walked off the pitch last night.’’
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