Kilbane call-up unlikely for EURO 2012

KEVIN Kilbane's international career seems over after Giovanni Trapattoni said that the Derby County midfielder would only be on the plane to Poland or Ukraine in an 'emergency'.


Kilbane turns 35 in February and has won 110 caps for the Republic of Ireland, but he appears to have lined out for the last time. Having been left out of the squad for this week's play-off against Estonia, Kilbane was invited to Dublin for last night's second leg after playing an integral part in the earlier qualifying games.


“Not at this moment, no,” Trapattoni said after being asked if the player was in his plans.


“Not for the tournament, but it was an honour to have him yesterday because he has taken part in the campaign. I know Kevin is ready as an option in case of emergency.”


Trapattoni will not name his 23-man panel for the finals until May, but it will take something special for a new name to feature in his plans now after he said today 'This is the squad' when queried on the topic.


The Irish boss has suggested that he will take an extra defender or midfielder with him, instead of a striker.


He said: “Usually, we need four strikers, but the striker can also play in different situations also...on the right or left. Not Doyle or McGeady, but Cox, for example, and Long also can play in this position.


“The players who are most important are midfielders and defenders, because they are more subject to making fouls. We have thought about this because two yellow cards and the player will have to go home.”


Whichever players are selected for duty in the summer look set to have limited time out of the Irish camp as Trapattoni once again stressed this afternoon the importance of players having to work on what he terms 'the little details'.


While he said there would be time to meet with friends and family, Trap was clearly indicating that the players are heading to the finals with a job to do. The eyes will be on business.


He said: “There will be time to meet with family and friends after the games. When we have a job and we are working we must be together.
 

“It is not just training, but the psychological training and the video training.
 

“We can improve one or two players because they have seen their mistakes and we need time to do this.
 

“Every little detail like throw-in, the free kicks we will work on. We need to stay together.”