SOCCER: Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni has admitted his delight at the amount of football some of his key players are getting under their belts.
The Italian met up with the bulk of his squad once again yesterday as he began preparations for Wednesday night’s World Cup qualifier against Georgia at Croke Park.
Trapattoni has spent much of his time in charge of the Ireland team bemoaning the fact that too many of his players do not get regular games for their clubs.
However, with midfielder Glenn Whelan, a fixture in his starting line-up, having started Stoke’s last 10 games, Liam Miller prospering since his move from Sunderland to QPR and Blackburn’s Keith Andrews also getting himself involved at Ewood Park, his concerns are being addressed.
Trapattoni, who also admitted skipper Robbie Keane’s return to Tottenham after a difficult spell at Liverpool can only benefit his national side, said: “I am happy because three months ago, those players weren’t playing for their teams.
“Maybe my colleagues think because they play in the national team, they don’t need to play for their teams!
“We are happy because it is a good way of recognising they are doing well for us, that they can also play in England.
“I have always said they need to play in England because they are good players.
“It’s important for them and it is important for the national team.”
Yesterday afternoon’s training session at Gannon Park, Malahide, survived the snow which shrouded Dublin earlier in the day, although there were several notable absentees.
Keane, like Manchester United duo John O’Shea and Darron Gibson, were late arrivals after playing for their clubs, while Espanyol full-back Steve Finnan and Hull striker Caleb Folan have withdrawn through injury.
Preston defender Eddie Nolan has been drafted into the squad with the hamstring injury Paul McShane suffered in Sunderland’s 1-0 win over Fulham on January 27th still being assessed.
However, the 20-year-old, like striker Kevin Doyle, who played against him in a 0-0 draw at Reading on Saturday, was rested with a knock and remained at the team hotel with McShane.
The Republic head into Wednesday night’s game knowing victory over a side they beat 2-1 in Germany in September will take them level with World champions Italy at the top of Group 8.
However, Trapattoni is expecting a much tougher challenge this time around with Georgia boss Hector Cuper now much better acquainted with a squad who will still feel aggrieved their “home” tie had to be played on neutral territory because of the political situation in their country at the time.
The 69-year-old said: “I saw Georgia lose 2-1 against Romania, but they played very well.
“They have changed their system and Hector Cuper has tried other players and two or three players in different positions.
“It will not be an easy game for us, but we have to go on to the pitch with our aim being to win. That’s very important.”
