Trio on Red alert as Trap spoiled for choice
But, speaking at the Aviva Stadium yesterday, the manager sent out mixed signals when asked if the availability of McGeady and Duff presented him with a difficult selection decision.
“Why should there be a difficult decision between McGeady and Duff, why?” he retorted. “In the past, we play one left and one right. Maybe we have other options like Liam Lawrence who has played well until now. But, fingers crossed, looking at the next two games, we hope not to have injuries and it will be better to have four players fighting for those two positions.”
However, a little later, Trapattoni seemed to suggest it could indeed come down to a straight choice
between the Spartak Moscow and Fulham contenders as he assessed one aspect of the Russian challenge.
“If you know the Russian full-back, is Duff or McGeady a better opponent?” he asked. “I have looked ten times at him and I am not 100% on that. I know either could play that role.”
What was clear, however, is that McGeady continues to rise in the manager’s estimation.
“Before Aiden went to Russia, I said I didn’t know if it would be a good opportunity,” Trapattoni admitted. “It could have been difficult. But I saw another McGeady, not only watching him for Spartak, but also in the last game for us (against Andorra). He was stronger and he was more confident. And I hope he continues like this with us. He changed his position in the last game, got nearer to the goal. Maybe in Scotland it was different. But in Russia, he is playing differently and that will help us.”
Stephen Kelly (calf) and Darren O’Dea (knee) have both been ruled out of the squad due to injury and so Everton’s Seamus Coleman gets his first Ireland senior call-up. Keith Treacy and Cillian Sheridan have both been put on standby.
And although Trapattoni will have to keep his fingers crossed between now and next Friday, he was happy to report promising news yesterday on other recent injury worries.
“Richard Dunne told me that he feels very good and he is confident that he will play today (for Aston Villa). If he does, he will be ready. I’m confident that will be the case. I also told him to be careful! That is only a joke. He is important to us. The Russians play two or three strikers in England and it is better for us because Richard knows them very well. I am confident that he will play.
“Keith Andrews has played 24 minutes (for Blackburn Rovers) since the last time we played and he will play again. Also Marco (Tardelli) will see him today, hopefully he will play. Sure, when he will be available, that is another good opportunity. It is better for a manager when it is difficult to choose, better to have too many choices than not to have one at all. I can tell you after the game why I have decided to pick certain players, not before. I choose a player for certain reasons. After a game we can decide whether it is right or whether I made a mistake.”
Trapattoni also used the opportunity to confirm his recent verbal skirmish with Darron Gibson was over.
“Gibson told me, ‘hey boss, I have no problem’. I tell him, ‘no problem, Darron’. Because I treat him like all the other players. That is important. Now all the players understand Giovanni. Famous or not, Giovanni doesn’t care. What matters is the moment, the particular game. Andrews is playing again and up to two months ago Andrews and (Glenn) Whelan together were fantastic. I know this. Paul Green and Whelan are also fantastic. And it was fantastic when Keith Fahey comes on and scores (in Armenia) because he understood immediately his position. It is a pity we can only play 11 players but it is not rugby!”
Trapattoni was speaking at the announcement of the fixture list for the inaugural Carling Nations Cup, a friendly tournament involving the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, which will take place in a league format at Aviva Stadium in February and May of next year.
Trapattoni joined fellow managers Nigel Worthington of Northern Ireland and Craig Levein of Scotland in welcoming a tournament which, all agreed, would provide their squads with competitive friendlies, involving minimal travel disruption, as they continue to plot their respective European Championship qualification.
FAI chief executive John Delaney forecast that the Carling Cup could bring as many as 300,000 visitors to Dublin. Tickets will go on sale in November. The Carling Nations Cup will take a break in 2011 but it is hoped to resume the tournament in 2012. In the early planning stages, England declined an offer to take part but John Delaney indicated that, at some future date, the FA would be approached again. “We’d like to have them involved,” he said.
Tuesday, Feb 8: Republic of Ireland v Wales
Wednesday, Feb 9: Northern Ireland v Scotland
Monday, May 23: Republic of Ireland v Northern Ireland
Tuesday, May 24: Wales v Scotland
Tuesday, May 26: Wales v Northern Ireland
Friday, May 27: Republic of Ireland v Scotland.
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