Defiant Trapattoni in for the long haul

Game over, game on — that was the clear message from Giovanni Trapattoni yesterday as Ireland try to pick themselves up from the disappointment of their Euros exit in time for Monday’s valedictory game against Italy.

Speaking after squad training in Gdynia, the manager declared he didn’t want Ireland to go home with no points, said he’d attempt to talk senior players, like Shay Given, out of retiring too soon and left no one in any doubt that, despite some calls for him to step down, he intends to fulfil his FAI contract and lead Ireland into the next World Cup qualifying campaign.

The manager also took the opportunity to reject Roy Keane’s criticism of the Irish team’s performances in Poland.