Trap tells McCarthy to step up

Yankee Stadium may not be a mecca of football but Giovanni Trapattoni believes it’s the perfect arena for James McCarthy to prove himself against the world’s best.

The Republic of Ireland squad arrived in New York on Saturday ahead of the friendly against Spain and their first public engagement yesterday was a trip to the Hurricane Sandy-impacted Irish-American community of Breezy Point in Queens.

The players spent an hour running a soccer clinic for local kids while also milling with members of the community before departing for an evening training session in Montclair University in New Jersey, the same venue used by the New York Red Bulls.

“Yesterday I said ... to James, ‘you have this great opportunity to play against the famous and most important players’,” Trapattoni told reporters.

“Because I became famous when I was like James. I was midfield. Against Pele, Cruyff, Eusebio. They were the best players in the world. I grew because I took confidence because I could play against them. So he must believe. He has vision, he has good shooting... He should be more enterprising.”

But it wasn’t all football, naturally, and Trapattoni took time out to highlight the bigger issue facing the beach town that hosted the Irish squad.

“Sometimes it’s also (good) for the players, for the young to see this situation and think about what can happen in one day, your life.

“It’s important because we are famous, we live a different life. We have no time to think about this moment. I think it’s important when we can reflect what happens to other people. We are very happy to be here for this initiative.”

While some big names will be missing, Trapattoni was satisfied they had done the best they could to bring as full a squad as possible to the US. Aiden McGeady (wedding), Wes Hoolahan (foot injury) and Keiren Westwood (shoulder) didn’t travel while Richard Dunne was stuck in the UK speaking to clubs about his future and the death of John O’Shea’s uncle ruled him out of travelling.

“I promised the FAI that all the players would come for this particular game. Only the injuries and weddings … the others are all here.”

He added that it was important for the younger players to use this opportunity to “grow again” and “get a great experience against one of the most famous teams in the world”.

“To play in this game, they can grow and take more confidence and trust. When you play against these great teams, like for example England… We can play against every team. Against Spain, it’s a friendly but not friendly because they have to prepare for the Confederations Cup. They will play hard for 90 minutes. For us, it’s an opportunity to give one or two of these young players allow them to grow.”

In future, he pledged, there would be a bit more notice given to players when organising friendlies of this nature “Robbie was one of the first who said to me he was coming,” Trapattoni said adding that part of the deal was a promise LA Galaxy coach Bruce Arena that he would play just one half of football in what could be a tough game in warm conditions.

“We are conscious of the past and conscious of our quality. England (are) not like Spain (who are) more creative, technically superior... But we won’t be humiliated.”