Houghton plays down Trap health fears

GIOVANNI TRAPATTONI’s age and health was not a concern when the FAI approached him to be Ireland manager, according to Ray Houghton.

The 71-year-old Italian’s poor health forced him to miss last night’s friendly against Argentina at the Aviva stadium after he required stomach surgery. Houghton was one of the three-man panel assigned to source the new man after Steve Staunton’s departure in 2008 alongside Don Givens and Don Howe. And despite the then 69-year-old’s advancing years, Houghton said the trio were not concerned about his ability to do the job on a long term basis.

“No, not when you saw him,” Houghton said yesterday at the launch of Boylesports’ ‘Road to a million’ competition. “Look at Alex Ferguson, you wouldn’t say he’s too old and there is not a huge difference in age between him and Mr Trapattoni. Today, managers are tested more regularly than any other time.