Floating role for Hoolahan as Trap opts to experiment

Injury might have robbed Giovanni Trapattoni of the chance to treat tonight’s game in Cardiff as a full-blown dress rehearsal for the World Cup qualifiers but, by selecting Wes Hoolahan to play behind Shane Long in a 4-4-1-1 formation, the Ireland manager is hoping to test-run an alternative system for facing Sweden in Dublin next month.

Not that Trapattoni is ready to ditch Robbie Keane any time soon. Once again stressing the player’s experience and unrivalled goal record, he even suggested that Keane could play in the deeper role against the Swedes.

“We must also think of (Zlatan) Ibrahimovic and where he plays behind the striker,” said the manager. “So we will reflect on all that after this game.”