Trap’s reluctance to blood new talent mystifies Staunton

Former Republic of Ireland manager Steve Staunton has urged his successor to blood fresh talent — or expect his tenure to come under further scrutiny after Euro 2012.

Giovanni Trapattoni has eschewed the opportunity to have a look at some fringe talent against his native Italy in Poznan tonight, a decision that has not found favour with Staunton.

He told the BBC: “Although we have some promising young strikers like Shane Long, I don’t know much about where the next goalkeeper, defenders or midfielders are coming from. That is the downside of Trapattoni being so reluctant to blood new talent.