No disappearing acts but still plenty of problems for Trap

GIOVANNI TRAPATTONI’S ultimatum to what he called the ‘disappeared’ appears to have had the desired effect, with all the squad players communicating clearly with the Irish camp ahead of this week’s friendly game against Croatia at the Aviva Stadium on Wednesday.

Unfortunately, the manager has been unable to whip fickle fate into similar line, with the squad being reduced to 21 after further withdrawals for entirely legitimate and transparent reasons.

“Everything went well,” said Marco Tardelli yesterday when asked about the effect of the manager’s ultimatum.