My job is on the line, admits Trap

Giovanni Trapattoni knows failure to reach the Euro 2012 finals could cost him his job as Republic of Ireland boss.

However, he is confident that even if it did, there might still be another big day in his illustrious career.

The 72-year-old Italian will attempt to guide the Republic into their first major tournament finals for 10 years when they launch their play-off bid against Estonia in Tallinn tomorrow night.

There has been speculation that any extension to Trapattoni's contract and those of his staff is inextricably linked to the battle for qualification.

Asked if it had dawned on him that the 90 minutes in Estonia and the 90 which will follow at the Aviva Stadium on Tuesday night could be his last as Ireland manager, he said: "Yes, yes.

"But I am not nervous about this because I know football. I was talking the other days about standing on the edge of the cliffs - that's our life, it's a manager's life.

"Our life is dangerous. I have a habit of looking down on dangerous situations.

"But I think I will live, if not here, then maybe there is another. I don't know where, but sure, I am not stopping here."

There is a feeling within the Irish camp that they may never have a better opportunity to reach another finals after getting the draw they wanted from the options available and home advantage in the second leg.

Trapattoni, however, is not a man to take anything for granted.

He said: "In football every Sunday, or in England Saturday, you see little teams beat the great teams. That's football. For me, it is no surprise.

"But we must think these 180 minutes is our life, players, manager, the Irish people.

"I will be very proud if we achieve this result because it means up until now we have done our jobs well.

Trapattoni named all but one member of his starting XI at his pre-match press conference at the A Le Coq Arena this evening, and is yet to decide whether Stoke's Jonathan Walters or West Brom's Simon Cox will partner skipper Robbie Keane in attack.

He seemed bemused at a series of question on that issue, at one point saying: "You have other questions, no? Is that the only question?"

Ireland's last play-off, of course, ended in bitter disappointment when they were edged out by France on a night of high drama in Paris two years ago.

Perhaps understandably, Trapattoni was asked if the publicity that surrounded the controversy over Thierry Henry's infamous handball might mean there was less chance of the Republic ending up on the wrong end of a decision this time around.

His response was measured.

He said: "Referees can make mistakes, but I don't have any preconceptions about the referee."