Trapattoni defends record

Giovanni Trapattoni brushed aside speculation surrounding his future as he prepared for a potentially pivotal game in his reign as Republic of Ireland manager.

The 74-year-old is well aware that the nation’s hopes of World Cup qualification could be over by the time the final whistle sounds at the Ernst Happel Stadion in Vienna on Tuesday night as both Ireland and Austria desperately attempt to clutch on to the coat-tails of Group C rivals Sweden in the race for second place.