Trapattoni cuts frustrated figure as McCarthy mystery deepens

CONFUSION reigned at the Aviva Stadium last night — and not just within the Northern Ireland defence.

A game that had already been overshadowed by the unexplained absence of James McCarthy retreated further into the background despite the home side’s goal-grabbing exploits as the Wigan player’s saga rumbled on throughout the evening.

And he wasn’t the only no-show in town. Stoke City’s Marc Wilson had been named in the starting XI but failed to turn up.