Trapattoni unhappy with absent players

Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni again hit out at missing players after watching his side crush 10-man Northern Ireland 5-0 last night.

Robbie Keane struck twice as the Republic made light work of their neighbours in their Carling Nations Cup clash in Dublin but it was the players not playing who continued to dominate the agenda.

Trapattoni has got into a row with Wigan over James McCarthy’s non-appearance while the Italian also revealed in his post-match press conference that Stoke pair Marc Wilson and Jonathan Walters also failed to report.

Wigan claim McCarthy has an ankle injury and that the Football Association of Ireland were informed but Trapattoni says there has been no contact and the midfielder has not returned calls.

The veteran boss believes world football rules stating even injured players have to turn up for duty if requested are being flouted.

The 72-year-old said: “We called these players, they didn’t answer, they didn’t come.

“We will have to decide why we call them up next time.

“This is their federation, the FAI. McCarthy, Wilson and Walters didn’t come, they didn’t bother answering.

“We have been watching these players over one month, two months.

“If they are injured that is okay but they must come to us and see our doctor. It is about respect.

“It shouldn’t happen anywhere, not just Ireland.”

The fiasco follows Celtic striker Anthony Stokes’ decision to withdraw at the weekend due to tiredness, another issue which has riled Trapattoni.

“We discovered these two or three players,” Trapattoni said. “Where were these two or three players one or two years ago?”

On the field, Trapattoni was impressed by the performance of Keane, whose double took his international goal tally to 48.

The Tottenham striker, whose frustrating domestic season was blighted by injury and ended in relegation on loan at West Ham, underlined his enduring talent as he seeks a summer move.

The 30-year-old pounced on a poor back pass for his first goal and added his second from the penalty spot after being bundled over by Adam Thompson, who was sent off.

Keane was disappointed to be withdrawn just after the hour with a hat-trick within reach but Trapattoni wants him fresh for next week’s Euro 2012 qualifier.

He said: “We must think about the next games and he must play against Macedonia. I must preserve him for that.

“He was not happy but I would cry if he got injured.”

Debutants Stephen Ward and Simon Cox were also on target for the hosts while Craig Cathcart put through his own goal.