Houghton: Trap reminds me of Fergie

Ray Houghton has likened the enthusiasm of new Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni to that of Alex Ferguson.

As one of the three members of the head-hunting panel designed to find a successor to the axed Steve Staunton, former Ireland star Houghton was bowled over by the Italian, whose wages are being sponsored by billionaire businessman Denis O’Brien.