Trapattoni confident of World Cup place

Giovanni Trapattoni will celebrate his 70th birthday tomorrow with his sights set firmly on next summer’s World Cup finals.

The Republic of Ireland boss reaches the personal landmark on St Patrick’s Day still making his living at what he knows best and still with ambitions to fulfil.

Trapattoni today named his squad for the forthcoming Group 8 qualifiers against Bulgaria and his native Italy with his side sitting proudly alongside the reigning world champions at the top of the group with 10 points from four games.

He is taking nothing for granted, but he knows that a good start to his time in charge laid the foundations for a genuine push towards next summer’s finals in South Africa.

Trapattoni told www.fifa.com: “I think we can make it, but we will also need some luck, both in our matches and in terms of the fitness of our key players.

“I can’t tell you for sure that we will be there I’m afraid, but I am confident.”

Trapattoni’s confidence is understandable after victories over Georgia twice and Cyprus, as well as a hard-fought 0-0 draw in Montenegro, which have helped Ireland keep pace with the Italians.

The Republic face third-placed Bulgaria at Croke Park on Saturday, March 28 at the same time as Italy face a tricky trip to Montenegro.

Four days later, Trapattoni and Marcelo Lippi will lock horns in Bari in a game which could have a major say in the group’s eventual outcome.

The clash with his countrymen is one which has been eagerly anticipated for some time, and while there will be no divided loyalties, the veteran coach admits it will be an emotional evening for him.

Trapattoni said with a smile: “I had many, many people contacting me after that draw was made, and they all told me the same: that it is not so important Ireland wins these games!

“Honestly though, I was very happy. I consider myself lucky to be facing Italy. It’s an honour.

“It will be a strange situation for me because I am a proud Italian.

“But I am also a professional and very proud to be coach of the Irish national team so it will be no problem.

“But I do expect that I will be a little emotional when the national anthems are played.”

Trapattoni’s energy and enthusiasm have been a feature of his time in Ireland, although the vastly experienced coach is not alone in plying his trade long after many of his contemporaries have called it a day.

Luis Aragones tasted Euro 2008 glory with Spain last summer and Alex Ferguson is still going strong in his quest to defend Manchester United’s Champions League title.

The Italian said: “I think it is true to say that experience is back in fashion right now.

“My view is that that football is a school – you never stop learning.

“Perhaps people like myself and Mr Ferguson have just spent a little longer at school than most.”

Trapattoni has no plans to hang up his tracksuit, although he admits his wife has asked the question on more than one occasion.

He said: “My wife is always asking me: ’When will you finish? When will you finish?’.

“I just tell her: ’In the future’. She is always trying to pull me away from football – but not with much success.”

Trapattoni has named a squad of 26, which will be whittled down to 23, for the Bulgaria and Italy games, with Celtic defender Darren O’Dea the only addition to the party which was announced for last month’s 2-1 win over Georgia.

Manchester City midfielder Stephen Ireland’s self-imposed exile continues, and the Italian insisted he does not want to talk about the situation any further after placing the ball firmly in the player’s court.