Trapattoni refuses to blame Kilbane

Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni absolved Kevin Kilbane of any blame for the own goal which cost his side two vital World Cup points.

Ireland were leading Bulgaria 1-0 at Croke Park and had a top-two finish in Group Eight within their grasp when Kilbane, winning his 94th senior cap, unwittingly diverted Stiliyan Petrov’s driven cross into his own net.