Keane calls on FAI to extend Trapattoni’s Ireland contract

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND skipper Robbie Keane last night added his voice to the consensus that boss Giovanni Trapattoni should be given a new contract by the FAI to lead the country into the 2014 World Cup qualifiers.

Though the Italian’s current deal is up once Ireland’s involvement in the current Euro 2012 qualifiers is over, the manager has said he would like to continue in the post.

“Yes,” said Keane on the question of a new deal for Trapattoni. “It’s clear to see the job he has done since he has come into the set up.

“He is building a good squad, every player goes on to the pitch knowing exactly what he has to do and from a player’s point of view that is all you want to know.

“It’s been a massive improvement on the last few years.”

On last night’s dull 0-0 draw with Croatia at the Aviva Stadium in front of a crowd of just 20,149, Keane acknowledged it was nonetheless a good exercise ahead of the Euro 2012 qualifiers with Slovakia and Russia early next month.

“It was a good game for both teams, more from a fitness point of view because people have it in the back of their minds that the Premier League starts on Saturday,” said Keane.

“People question these games, but it’s about preparation for Slovakia. The main aim was to concentrate on that.”

And Keane is confident Ireland can get the results needed to keep them well in the hunt for Poland/Ukraine.

“We want to get something out of both games. We’re not going to sit back and look for a draw, we’ve never done that over the years and that’s not going to change now.

“We’ll be going into both games trying to get the win. I don’t think about targets, we’ll take each game as it comes.

“Slovakia sets it up, we’ll be going into that game desperate to get the three points. Russia away from home are not the easiest team to play against. They’re two games I’m looking forward to.”

Striker Shane Long was also pleased with the workout, which sees Ireland now unbeaten in five games.

“Croatia have some of the greatest individual players in the world, so we knew it was going to be a good test on the night for the lads in pre-season to get 90 minutes and get the fitness up for the big start this weekend,” said Long, who was nonetheless frustrated at the dearth of chances on goal he had.

“I worked away up there and I thought the chances would come and I had one with the header. It was tough and I don’t think they had many chances either. It was a bit of a dull game, but a good workout just the same.

“It was a good run-out in the build up to September and the matches with Slovakia and Russia. Russia play a good bit like they do so it’s interesting to see and hopefully we can take it on from tonight and get full points from those next two games.”