Cautious Trap plays it cool on McClean plans

Giovanni Trapattoni last night declared his belief in James McClean but dodged the question as to whether he will find a place in his European Championship squad for the young Sunderland winger.

McClean’s debut lasted no more than 12 minutes against the Czechs and his entrance elicited the loudest cheer on a muted night but his input was restricted to little more than a blocked shot and one fizzing cross.

“It was a reward for him,” said the Italian. “Also, McGeady and Duff, they were doing well but it was important for [McClean] and showed him that I believe in him. I believe in his quality and it was to show that I will play him in the future.”

Whether that future will include Poland this summer is another question. “It’s early,” Trapattoni replied.

“We can watch him in the league. We have time to decide.”

Whatever transpires, it was a night McClean will remember for the rest of his life but for everyone else this was a game to endure rather than enjoy.

For Trapattoni, it was a fixture that ticked most boxes. Simon Cox’s late goal elongated an unbeaten run of 12 games and while the Aviva Stadium’s state of the art medical centre went more or less unused.

“The result gives us confidence and security about ourselves,” said Trapattoni.

“They (Czechs) had more possession and I said before that this is a great team. We were making good direction in the second half and I think we deserved to achieve the draw.

“They had more superiority in midfield but we allowed them only one chance at goal [in the opening exchanges]. We increased our pressing with fresh energy in the second half. We have a team with attitude and good mentality.”

On a night which raised few new possibilities, the sight of Robbie Keane operating behind Shane Long was something and the manager has reason to be happy with his skipper’s moves to Aston Villa and LA Galaxy.

“He has a new energy, he is more fresh because he is playing regularly. I think this switch did him a lot of good, both of them, because it renewed his confidence. Sometimes players need a change.”

Czech coach Michal Bilek kept his press conference short.

“Apart from the first 10 minutes we had an excellent match,” he stated. “I was very sorry we didn’t win it in the end.” And with that he was gone. Pity the game itself hadn’t passed by quite so quickly.