Trap explains Irish squad selection

Giovanni Trapattoni addressed the media present in Ballybofey, exclaiming that the upcoming friendly in Belgrade against Serbia is an ‘opportunity for certain players'. The squad which features players such as James McCarthy, James McClean, Marc Wilson, Seamus Coleman and Keith Treacy is an experimental one, one without stalwarts Shay Given, Richard Dunne, Damien Duff or Robbie Keane.  Other players that are not included are Keith Andrews, who is suspended for Ireland’s opening World Cup qualifier with Kazakhstan, and Wolves winger Stephen Hunt.

After the disappointment of losing all three games in Poland, Trapattoni said: “My disappointment is not gone, but I am very enthusiastic and I feel we can start again. I think we can start this World Cup Qualifying campaign with more enthusiasm.

“We are using this friendly for young and new players; to give them an opportunity to show us how they have improved and that they can prove their personality. The Serbia game is not an easy test, but it will show us where we are at the moment.

“In Poland there was a difference in our performance and our results. We made silly mistakes because we were in a new different situation.

“I would like to wake up and start again, with the same team, the same players, because I know it would be very different.”

Trapattoni ruled out any retirements, suggesting that no players have yet to call time on their international careers, although question marks loom over the exclusion of Damien Duff and Shay Given, with both players’ international careers in the balance. He also said that the senior players in the squad accepted his decision to try new players.

“I spoke to all the players after Poland. Dunne, Keane, Given, Duff – and I told them they were not in the squad for this friendly. They said to me ‘no problem,’ they know this is an opportunity for younger players, and that they are still part of my squad.”

With Given missing out, Keiren Westwood looks set to deputise in goal, while Westwood’s Sunderland team-mate James McClean appears the natural successor in the absence of Duff and Hunt.

Wolves defender Kevin Foley is a notable absentee, having been dropped from the squad during the pre-Euros trip to Italy.

“I called Foley, and he told me he is still very disappointed. He thanked me for the call, but told me that he was still not ready because he is still disappointed.”

He failed to confirm that the Wolves defender had ruled himself out of future squads, saying: “At this moment, he is not ready, but in future (he will be); Never say never.”

Another player that the Italian was questioned about was Stephen Ireland. With Ireland playing regularly at Aston Villa, and allegedly being open to an international call-up, Trapattoni dismissed the chances of including him in the squad, instead opting for younger players.

One particular inclusion of note was that of Wigan midfielder James McCarthy. McCarthy had made himself unavailable for the European Championships after his father had been diagnosed with cancer. However, Trapattoni said that having spoken to him, he has made himself available for the trip to Belgrade.

“I spoke to McCarthy and he said he is ready.

“We can try McCarthy in centre midfield because he is a good option. With Andrews suspended, it is an opportunity for him, and Darron Gibson.”

Gibson, who looked a disgruntled figure on the bench in Poland, had been a key player for David Moyes’ Everton side in the second half of last season, and Trap indicated that he is still very much part of his plans.

“One or two years ago, I said to Darron ‘You must leave Manchester (United)’ and now he is playing every game. He is an important member of the team.”

With Norwich duo Wes Hoolahan and Anthony Pilkington again failing to make Trapattoni’s squad, the Italian was quick to point out that the inclusion of McCarthy has affected the need for him to have Hoolahan in the squad.

“We watch Norwich and Hoolahan and Pilkington are both very attacking players. In that position I have McCarthy and McClean, and I want to give these players an opportunity. They are not in (the squad) now, but we will continue to watch both players in the future.”

Two players that are certainly marked for the future are Manchester United’s young winger Robbie Brady, and Derry-native Shane Duffy, currently with Everton. With both players tipped to be included in the squad, Trapattoni insisted that while the players are important for the future of Irish football, they will be at Noel King’s disposal that week instead as Ireland’s Under 21s play in a must-win qualifier against Italy.