Trap’s Aides Confirm Keane Captaincy

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Irish Voice Sport

Trap’s Aides Confirm Keane Captaincy

April 9, 2008

By Cathal Dervan

THE Giovanni Trapattoni era began in earnest on Tuesday when Robbie Keane’s reign as Irish captain was confirmed and an international SOS was sent out to Manchester City midfielder Stephen Ireland on the Italian’s behalf.

Trapattoni wasn’t in Dublin for an FAI press conference to formally unveil Liam Brady and Marco Tardelli as his assistants, but his presence was clearly felt as the duo outlined the new future awaiting Irish football.

Ireland’s top players can expect to work with a master tactician who will demand flexibility from them in terms of formation and attitude according to Brady and Tardelli, both of whom played for Trapattoni in Serie A in the past.

There will be changes but not with the captaincy after Brady confirmed that Robbie Keane will carry on with the honor bestowed on him by Steve Staunton at the start of his ill-fated reign as Ireland manager.

Brady also confirmed that plans are taking shape to meet with Steve Finnan and Andy O’Brien in an effort to coax them out of international retirement, while Paddy Kenny and Clinton Morrison are both included in a provisional 40 man squad for a training camp in Portugal next month.

Stephen Ireland’s international future is also a priority for Trap and his assistants, with the three of them convinced they can persuade the Cork-born schemer to play for his country again.

Keane’s captaincy was the first big headline story to emerge from the conference, with Brady adamant that Trapattoni is 100% behind the player who was allowed to leave Inter Milan by Tardelli of all people.

“I thought I might get that question today so I rang Giovanni and Robbie is captain and will stay as captain — he has a lot of personality and experience,” Brady told the packed conference room at the FAI’s Abbotstown headquarters.

“I’ve also made contact with Steve Finnan and Andy O’Brien. In the case of Andy I’ve spoken to his father and I’d like him to agree to meet with me and the manager in the next few weeks. Steve Finnan has agreed to meet me in the next two weeks and I’m hoping that’s a good sign.

“I hope it’s good because Trapattoni has been watching these games (Ireland’s qualifiers) and keeps talking to me about him and wants him badly.

“Giovanni has already been in touch with Manchester City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson and had a chat with him about Stephen Ireland. I know Sven would like him to come back because international football can help you as a player.”

Brady continued, “I’m very optimistic it will be sorted out. I haven’t heard that he doesn’t want to be in the squad, so we will be speaking to him and he will definitely be in the 28 unless he says he doesn’t want to be. If there are any issues to be resolved we’re happy to speak with him.”

The new Ireland assistant boss was heavily criticized by former captain Roy Keane last week, who claimed Brady had nothing to offer Trapattoni other than a role as a translator.

The claim was put to Brady on Tuesday and he quickly laughed it off. “I was very surprised — that it took so long,” Brady joked of Keane’s insult. “You know as well as I do that Roy and myself go back a long way, with a difference in opinion of how things went in 2002.

“I took my stance, and in all probability what he had to say was down to that particular stance. I have to work with him, the new manager has to work with him. He’s done a great job with Sunderland and it looks like they will stay up so I hope him, and his assistants, can develop the Ireland players who are with him.”

Brady is convinced that Trapattoni will restore the nation’s pride in the Irish team.

Asked what sort of character Trap is, Brady replied, “Probably the Italian Bill Shankly. He loves football and gets that over to his players. He wants to win, and that comes across loud and clear. He has an unbelievable track record.

“People say he is getting on a bit, that he is 69 years of age, but when I went out to meet him in Salzburg I have to say that the enthusiasm for him to do this job was very evident. I think the kind of guy he is, the players will really appreciate him. He’s a leader, he’s willing, and I can only think that that is a great thing for our players to have in a manager.”

Four former Ireland internationals will be part of Trapattoni’s backroom team, with Alan Kelly returning as goalkeeping coach. Mick Lawlor takes up the role as kit manager, with Frank Stapleton and Mick Martin involved in scouting.

Trapattoni will bring the players to Portugal for a week long training camp on May 16 ahead of the friendlies against Serbia and Colombia in Dublin and London respectively.

A provisional 40 man squad has been named for the training camp, and this will be cut down to 28 players before departure for Portugal.

The squad is:

Goalkeepers: Given (Newcastle), Henderson (Preston North End), Kenny (Sheffield United), Randolph (Charlton Athletic/Bury), Colin Doyle (Birmingham City), Joe Murphy (Scunthorpe United).

Defenders: Kelly (Birmingham City), Dunne (Manchester City), Kilbane (Wigan Athletic), O’Shea (Manchester United), J. O’Brien (Bolton Wanderers), McShane (Sunderland), Foley (Wolves), O’Dea (Celtic).

Midfielders: Steven Reid (Blackburn Rovers), Miller (Sunderland), Ireland (Manchester City), Duff (Newcastle United), McGeady (Celtic), Andy Reid (Sunderland), Carsley (Everton), Gibson (Manchester United/Wolves), Hunt (Reading), Potter (Wolves), Garvan (Ipswich Town), Hoolahan (Blackpool), McPhail (Cardiff City), Rowlands (QPR), Whelan (Stoke City).

Forwards: Elliott (Wolves), Robbie Keane (Tottenham Hotspur), Kevin Doyle (Reading), Morrison (Crystal Palace), Long (Reading), Andy Keogh (Wolves), Stokes (Sunderland), Murphy (Sunderland), Scannell (Crystal Palace), O’Donovan (Sunderland), Connolly (Sunderland).

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