Soccer:Giovanni Trapattoni will be contacting those players who did not report for international duty last month to ascertain once and for all whether they wish to play for the Republic of Ireland.
After four wins from four over the last two weeks, culminating in last night’s 2-0 win over Italy in Liege, the manager will seek to put an end to the communication issues that have disrupted his relationship with some aspiring internationals.
He reiterated today he is keen to have everyone on board but appeared ready to put the matter to bed, one way or another, over the summer.
"In the future it will be like this," said the Italian. "I will send them a text and i will say do you want to come with us again: Yes or no? They must be clear about it for you and for the Irish people, not for me. They must be clear. I have worked in four other countries and this behaviour is imporssible for me to understand. Maybe it’s because they’re young because the senior players answer immediately. The other are like the disappeared."
After the squad got together on May 22nd, Trapattoni revealed James McCarthy did not return the FAI’s calls since the squad announcement, and there were then subsequent withdrawals from other fringe players, including Marc Wilson and Darron Gibson.
Celtic striker Anthony Stokes had been in touch to explain he was too tired to take part in the Carling Cup games against Northern Ireland and Scotland and the Euro 2012 qualifier against Macedonia in Skopje on June 4th.
Having seen Wigan’s medical reports of McCarthy’s ‘ankle injury’ a little over 24 hours prior to the first game against the North, the FAI then cast doubts over their veracity and suggested reasons for Wilson’s absence were also suspect. Stokes’s explanation clearly angered the manager.
The controversy got the international break off to a shaky start but Trapattoni and his available players rallied to win four on the bounce, conceding none while scoring 10 to boost morale among those whose commitment was never in doubt.
The results have won the hearts and minds of the fans and those players who showed such passion in Liege last night, and the manager today called for a little “respect” from those who stayed away.
“My doubt is only when the players don’t answer the calls of our secretary,” he said. “I want them to show respect for the other players, to tell us they are fit and will come over, or that they are not.
“If they tell us it is impossible, fine, we have time to call other players. It’s simply good manners and we never force a player to go anywhere.”
Reflecting on last night’s game the manager was again at pains to focus on the result rather than the opposition, explaining his lack of emotion on the sideline should not be construed as empathy for his defeated countrymen.
“I was happy in my heart. I didn’t feel that revenge against Italy was needed. If it’s against Italy fine, Macedonia okay. It’s about doing a good job, not about who we beat.”
With the results in the bag, he also backed his ideology on how his team should win.
“Football is a creative game. Creative players like Messi, Ronaldo, or Maradona in the past, can win a game, but there are others who build a result. We are a team that builds results and I’m happy with that.”
With transfer season upon us, Trapattoni offered a gentle reminder to his captain and goalkeeper, that, with four crucial qualifiers left in the autumn, games are important and for that reason moves for Robbie Keane and Shay Given would be preferable over the summer.
“My philosophy is that they can play for a time even when they are not in their club teams, because they don’t lose their condition after a few weeks. But in the longer term it’s important that they play.”
