Trap’s sweet on Coleman

The spoils might have gone to Greece but the real winner from Wednesday night’s friendly at the Aviva was Seamus Coleman, with Giovanni Trapattoni yesterday hailing him as the most complete Irish full-back since Steve Finnan and confirming the Everton man has now claimed ownership of the right-back position in the manager’s first 11.

“Coleman was the player of the match,” said the Italian. “He confirmed his personality, quality, strength and offensive attitude. He played without fear. That was important. In the first years when we came here, although Finnan was getting a little bit old, he played football near the box, very beautiful football. We had this.”

Trapattoni is now clearly delighted to have that again — and more — in the shape of the 24-year-old Donegal express, though the manager was at pains to once more defend his decision not to bring him to the European Championship finals in Poland.