Trap to favour Gibson over Andrews
Credit:
IRELAND manager Giovanni Trapattoni looks likely to make an 11th hour decision over who will partner Glenn Whelan in the midfield for their friendly against Australia at Thomond Park tonight.
Speaking in Limerick yesterday, the Italian initially named Blackburn’s Keith Andrews alongside Whelan, although suggested afterwards that 21-year-old Manchester United star Darron Gibson was also in the running.
“I wish to see the young players grow. Gibson and Andrews are similar players, but Gibson also has another vision. It is important to be strong and he has a strong personality,” Trapattoni said.
“It is very important we give him a chance to grow as a player.”
It would be Gibson’s sixth international cap after making his Irish debut last October. Just a month out from Ireland’s next World Cup qualifier against Cyprus, team selection against the Socceroos may speak volumes for what Trapattoni has in mind for that match.
Kevin Doyle will return to the side to partner Robbie Keane up front after missing the side’s 1-1 draw with Bulgaria in June due to a calf problem. He was initially expected to be sidelined for a lengthier period after a hernia operation, but manager Mick McCarthy at his new Wolves club gave him early clearance to take the field tonight, although his time may be limited to just the first half.
Stephen Hunt returned for training yesterday after making a brief departure from camp to agree to terms with Hull, while Preston’s Sean St Ledger has also been handed a starting spot, giving him a real opportunity to sew up the centre half position, starting there next to Richard Dunne for the second game in a row.
Trapattoni said Australia would provide a more than worthy adversary this evening for soccer’s first excursion to Thomond Park with the Socceroos having already qualified for the World Cup next year.
“We must not forget that the Australian team is a strong team because (they have) many players in Europe and many players in England and they are already qualified,” he said.
“It is a good approach for us to prepare, it is important for us this game before Cyprus because it will be a good test.
“We prepare for this match with 100 (per cent) attention because the result for us is always important.”
Likely starting team: Given; O’Shea; Dunne, St. Ledger, Kilbane; McGeady, Andrews/Gibson, Whelan, Duff; Keane, Doyle;
Speaking in Limerick yesterday, the Italian initially named Blackburn’s Keith Andrews alongside Whelan, although suggested afterwards that 21-year-old Manchester United star Darron Gibson was also in the running.
“I wish to see the young players grow. Gibson and Andrews are similar players, but Gibson also has another vision. It is important to be strong and he has a strong personality,” Trapattoni said.
“It is very important we give him a chance to grow as a player.”
It would be Gibson’s sixth international cap after making his Irish debut last October. Just a month out from Ireland’s next World Cup qualifier against Cyprus, team selection against the Socceroos may speak volumes for what Trapattoni has in mind for that match.
Kevin Doyle will return to the side to partner Robbie Keane up front after missing the side’s 1-1 draw with Bulgaria in June due to a calf problem. He was initially expected to be sidelined for a lengthier period after a hernia operation, but manager Mick McCarthy at his new Wolves club gave him early clearance to take the field tonight, although his time may be limited to just the first half.
Stephen Hunt returned for training yesterday after making a brief departure from camp to agree to terms with Hull, while Preston’s Sean St Ledger has also been handed a starting spot, giving him a real opportunity to sew up the centre half position, starting there next to Richard Dunne for the second game in a row.
Trapattoni said Australia would provide a more than worthy adversary this evening for soccer’s first excursion to Thomond Park with the Socceroos having already qualified for the World Cup next year.
“We must not forget that the Australian team is a strong team because (they have) many players in Europe and many players in England and they are already qualified,” he said.
“It is a good approach for us to prepare, it is important for us this game before Cyprus because it will be a good test.
“We prepare for this match with 100 (per cent) attention because the result for us is always important.”
Likely starting team: Given; O’Shea; Dunne, St. Ledger, Kilbane; McGeady, Andrews/Gibson, Whelan, Duff; Keane, Doyle;
