Trapattoni pleased with trio's performance

After seeing his side earn a hard-fought 1-1 draw against “the old enemy”, it was an altogether relaxed Giovanni Trapattoni who greeted the media for his post match press conference in Wembley Stadium on Wednesday night.

After a brief chat (in Italiano) with legendary football writer and old friend Brian Glanville* who was seated in the front row, “Il Trap” took his seat alongside his trusted interpreter (/buffer to the press) Manuella Spinelli. Before anyone could ask a question or prompt a response, the wily Italian began to speak.

“This evening I have reason to be happy because yesterday I said to you in this friendly game, [it’s a] difficult friendly game for many reasons – the past, the great team.

“I look about, and they have grown three or four of our young because they need experience. Only against the great teams, the great players, they can grow.

“I am happy also for McCarthy, Coleman and Shane Long. For me was three of the best on the pitch.”

Indeed Trapattoni was right to highlight the performances of Coleman, McCarthy and Long as the often shunned trio delivered mature and assured performances in their respective thirds of the pitch.

Coleman in particular enhanced his already burgeoning reputation with an inch perfect cross for Shane Long’s goal in the first half, before flinging his body in the way of a goal-bound Jermaine Defoe effort in the dying embers of the game.

Never overawed by the stage or the occasion the Irish team did well when they had the ball. Particularly in the second half they though, they saw their English counterparts enjoy the lion’s share of possession – something that the former Italy manager had expected.

“In 90 minutes, the result is right. Also England in the second half has more possession. But we know this. We already knew the great personality of England – for me is one of the three or four strong countries.”

In the lead up to the tie in Wembley training had gone well for the “Boys in Green”, and Trapattoni was pleased with the response of his players after urging them to translate this to the pitch.

“I remind them also it is 90 minutes of football. Show me, show us and show the fans that we can go without fear.

“Because yesterday when I am in training, the team play and I am very happy because the team play quickly well and with confidence. I remind them play like yesterday in training.

Keep confidence and trust because we play with heart and lungs”

Despite the positives, many league of Ireland fans will have been disappointed not to see former Shelbourne star Wes Hoolahan get any game time, but when asked the Irish boss said he had no doubts over the attacker’s ability.

“I have no doubts, but I know him and I have seen him many times.

“I said in [yesterday’s conference] that these games are very very important in terms of physical strength. I know very well he’s a fantastic player in the offensive, but to force him to stay in midfield and achieve the ball, we have no Hoolahan in other side.

“I thought also about him yesterday and before yesterday with only one striker with him and other three or four in midfield. I know this, we have had time to try this. ”

After Shane Long’s 13^th minute opener, the vocal Irish support dared to dream of a famous victory. This dream lasted only ten minutes however before Frank Lampard scored a soft equaliser to abash such fanciful thoughts. In many ways it was a soft goal to concede, but in whole it was no more than England deserved.

“Sometimes, we believe they kick the ball before the ball pass. It’s not experience, it’s enthusiasm.

“But I think England also deserve the draw.”

Next up for Ireland is a friendly in the Aviva on Sunday against Georgia. In his press conference, Trapattoni hinted that players who had played lots of games this season would be rested and saved for the Faroe Islands game.

“I must pay attention against the Faroes, because it is our job and our duties to understand which players play this tough season and give them a little bit of a rest.

“St Ledger for example was injured, but St Ledger today played a super performance.

“We have others, for example Whelan played too much and we need to give him rest because Faroes is our aim for this moment.”

*Brian Glanville who first became acquainted with Trapattoni in the 1960s’ Olympics also spent much of his career in Italy. A legend in football journalism circles, Glanville revealed a split of allegiances of sorts at the Wembley encounter as his father hails from Dublin.