Trap puts onus back on Kelly

Giovanni Trapattoni and Stephen Kelly might have been at loggerheads recently but, clearly taking the player’s word that he would continue to make himself available for selection for Ireland, the manager has named him in his extended squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Sweden and Austria.

However, reports yesterday to the effect that the pair had kissed and made up were decidedly premature and based, not for the first time, on some confusion engendered by the manager’s initial comments on Kelly’s selection for the latest squad.

“We spoke a lot about this situation but now we concentrate only with focus on the next game,” said Trapattoni in answer to the opening question at his press conference at FAI headquarters in Abbotstown. “Kelly said he is available and is in the squad.”