Trap: McGeady must be sure about Moscow

GIOVANNI TRAPATTONI has expressed misgivings about Aiden McGeady’s proposed transfer to Spartak Moscow, as reports suggest the player will make his mind up on the move in the next 24 hours.

“I am happy for him for this opportunity, but I wish to speak with him and clarify his position and speak with him about my experience,” said the Ireland manager yesterday. “I think Russia is too far and the championship is not easy. I wish to ask him if he is ready psychologically, because McGeady is very sensitive man and he is very young. For him, it is maybe a great opportunity and I think I will be happy if he is sure he wants to go.”

However, Trapattoni made no attempt to hide his preference for the Celtic winger staying closer to home.

“Yes, Scotland or England or even a European team,” he said. “For example, Bayern Munich and other teams have asked me about him. I think now I will not say ‘don’t go’ but I would like him to say ‘I have decided to go’. If he’s convinced, Ok. But I have seen in it Portugal, for example, where players go far away and they get homesick.”

According to reports yesterday, McGeady, accompanied by his girlfriend and agent, was given the red carpet treatment on a flying visit to Moscow, as the Russian club, who are bidding over €9m for the Ireland international, prepare to make the 24-year-old their best paid player on a reported wage of around €3m a year.

Meanwhile, ahead of next Wednesday’s friendly against Argentina at the Aviva Stadium, Trapattoni confirmed that Glenn Whelan and Sean St Ledger will miss the game through injury but said skipper Robbie Keane will be available.

Trapattoni was speaking at the announcement in the new stadium of a lucrative deal which sees mobile phone company 3 become the primary sponsor of the senior and other Irish international teams. The agreement, which is worth €7.5 million over four years, was warmly welcomed by FAI ceo John Delaney. In addition, there will be affinity deals designed to benefit club football at all levels in the country.

“There are also bonuses for qualifying and making play-offs, the usual stuff for major sponsorships,” Delaney added. “I can say that it’s one of the biggest deals in Irish sport. To get a major sponsor like 3 at this stage in the middle of a recession is very good for Irish football.”

The FAI boss insisted that Wednesday’s heavy defeat at the hands of Manchester United did not make it a bad night for the Airtricity League.

“It profiled players in a way that they were never profiled before and they got to play in front of 49,000 people,” he said. “I was in the dressing room after the game and every one of the players was thrilled to have participated in the match.”

Delaney said that it is planned to make a pre-season club tournament at the Aviva Stadium an annual event, with a domestic league selection representing the Irish domestic game. However, he refused to comment on speculation that Inter Milan might be one of the sides taking part next year.

“We will announce that in due course,” he said, “but I want the Irish public to see the best players in Europe here.”

The FAI boss also said that the question of sales of 10 year tickets – widely presumed to be sluggish — for the Aviva Stadium will be addressed at the association’s AGM in Wexford on August 21st.