WORLD CUP 2014 QUALIFYING Kazakhstan v Rep of Ireland:GIOVANNI TRAPATTONI insists that yesterday's long journey to Kazakhstan, barely 48 hours ahead of the Republic of Ireland's opening game of the 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign will not be a problem for his players when they take to the field in Astana tomorrow night.
“I was a player,” says the 73-year-old. “I flew to Brazil. I played in the World Cup and it’s not easy but when you are young you have energy and I think it’s important that if you have the right mentality then you can recover.”
Three of Trapattoni’s squad: Aiden McGeady, Darren O’Dea and, of course, his skipper, Robbie Keane had already travelled long distances in order to join up with the squad prior to setting out on yesterday’s trip to Astana via Tallinn.
“Yes, it’s true,” said the manager, “but I am not particularly worried. Maybe McGeady played three games without rest and he was a little bit tired but I have seen in training the way they have recovered.
“They have energy and we have three very important changes that we can make during the game. We have Keogh who scored two goals at the weekend and Long.
“They are young and the teams today can play with precision. So I am happy with the situation.”
The players will have a five-hour time difference to contend with upon arrival with the game not due to kick off until 10 pm local time but Trapattoni insists that they will cope comfortably.
“Yes, we’ll stick with Irish time,” he says. “In the next game in London against Oman we have the possibility of giving the other group [a chance]. But these 90 minutes, this situation should not be a problem.
“Before, I played Austria on a Sunday and then in the Maracana on the Wednesday. It was 10 hours of travel but I was 22 years of age – not old like you and me!”
If any of the players are put out by the arrangements they are unlikely to be rushing to complain. Darron Gibson’s departure from the squad is just the latest in a long line of difficulties between players and a manager who insists he has broadened the available options during his four and a half years in charge.
Most of the players have ultimately chosen to depart themselves and one or two have even returned after a spell in exile but the Trapattoni’s stubbornness, communication skills and occasional indifference to players he appears to deem of marginal value have been a factor on a few occasions too.
Venue: Astana Arena Kick-off: Tomorrow, 5pm On TV: RTÉ Two
