A tale of two Robbies

Robbie Brady won’t be in the side which faces Germany in Dublin next month but it appears Robbie Keane will be — even if Ireland set up with five across the middle and a lone striker.

Despite the encouraging showing of the young guns in the 4-1 demolition of Oman at Craven Cottage on Tuesday night, it will surprise no-one to learn that Giovanni Trapattoni will place his trust in experience for October’s altogether more formidable challenge. Depending on injuries, of course, the manager said yesterday that, at most, he would contemplate making one or two changes to his favoured starting 11 for the visit of the Germans, with James McCarthy more likely to start if Trapattoni opts for a three-man central midfield.

With one goal to his credit and a hand in creating two more, Manchester United’s Brady emerged as the headline-grabber on his senior debut for his country on Tuesday, but although Trapattoni indicated the 20-year-old would retain his place in the squad he doesn’t see him emulating Sean St Ledger who, immediately following his Irish debut in a friendly at Craven Cottage in 2009, was pitched into a World Cup qualifier against Bulgaria.