Stokes resigned to life in Ireland wilderness

ANTHONY STOKES has admitted he has little chance of forcing his way back into the Republic of Ireland squad for September’s Euro 2012 ties against Slovakia and Russia.

The Celtic striker angered Giovanni Trapattoni when he pulled out of the Carling Nations Cup games in May and the Euro 2012 qualifier against Macedonia.

“It is unbelievable, so we must educate our players. We are lucky and we have to enjoy playing football. It is a fine life,’’ the Ireland boss fumed when questioned about hi striker’s absence.

The Italian has since left Stokes out of a 32-man provisional squad for a friendly against Croatia on August 10 but has previously stated he will still consider the former Sunderland player for selection in the future.

Stokes however is not holding his breath.

“I can’t see it happening to be honest,’’ he said. “I haven’t spoken to him (Trapattoni) at all.

“To be honest I don’t really think it makes any difference. When I have gone away with the Ireland teams I have rarely played. There is nothing I can do really other than just focus on my football at Celtic and hopefully get the call-up,” he said.

Fatigue was reported as Stokes’ reason for pulling out of Ireland’s end of season games.

However, the 23-year-old yesterday denied that he claimed he was too tired to play for his country after figuring in Celtic’s Scottish Cup final win on May 21.

“The situation with Ireland, everyone knows I only had a couple of weeks off.

“It’s going to be a long season and I just wanted a rest. I had other things going on as well.

“That was it — I never said I was too tired to play. Sometimes you have to look at other things in your life as well, that’s all it was really.”