Trap Sets His Sights On Euro Qualification

Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni has set his sights on a place in the finals of Euro 2012 after missing out on a trip to the World Cup. The 71-year-old Italian will send his side into friendly battle with finalists Paraguay and Algeria this week knowing they could have been joining them in South Africa had it not been for their controversial play-off exit at the hands on France in November.

Trap and Keane Ready For The Challenge Pic by Daniel Pitcher Copyright @ Sportspeak.eu

Trapattoni spent last week working with some of his up and coming players, although the exercise was marred by the injury to 18-year-old Everton defender Shane Duffy which almost cost him his life. Thankfully, the teenager is making a good recovery after rupturing his hepatic artery in a freak training game accident, although the incident will remain in the memories of those who witnessed it for some time.

Some of those who impressed during the training camp – Paul Green, Shane Long, Keith Fahey and Greg Cunningham – could get chances as substitutes tomorrow night, but Trapattoni has otherwise gone largely with experience.

In place of the injured Shay Given, Coventry City goal keeper Keiren Westwood will win his fourth cap in a green jersey. As expected after featuring for Manchester United in the season run in John O Shea will return to international duty on the left, after suffering a dead leg in the game against France in November which kept him out for four months. Fulham’s Stephen Kelly will partner O Shea on the right. There were no real surprises up front, with Damien Duff, Robbie Keane who will take the captains armband from Paul McShane and Kevin Doyle.

Captain Keane Fully Focused On Whats Ahead And Ready To Forget The Horror Of Paris Pic by Daniel Pitcher Copyright @Sportpeak.eu

Even though many commentators consider this a rather pointless friendly, Trapattoni was quick to dismiss that. ‘I have said for the last two years, when you wear this shirt, there is no such thing as a friendly game because it’s our pride and the mentality of our country that is important. ‘We have to build our mentality. I am not arrogant, but we are sure we have a strong team. ‘Today I spoke with Marco [Tardelli, assistant manager] and we were saying this group [of players] is a great group – they showed us that against Brazil, against Italy and against France.

Speaking about some of his other selections, Trap praised Damien Duff on his performance in the Europa League Final against Athletico Madrid saying “Duff was the best player on the pitch. It was revealed after the Europa Final Damien had been playing with in injury but Giovanni Said “In training Duff showed no sign of injury” “This year I monitored him alot he is important to us, after tomorrow I will give him a little break” “Damien shows alot of mentality”

Today Robbie Keane wanted to put everything clear for everyone who is still bitter over not going to the World Cup “Thats happened, were not going to the World Cup, Some French players have told me that we deserved to go through but there is nothing we can do now” “I am fully focused on these two games and then qualifying for the European Championships, what happened in France is now in the Past” Keane also added “I have a new hunger to win now and I realized this after all the game time I got with Celtic”

Republic of Ireland Starting 11

K Westwood, S Kelly, P Mc’Shane, S St.Ledger, J O’Shea, L Lawerance, K Andrews, G Whelan, D Duff, R Keane, K Doyle

Daniel "Pitchside" Pitcher Twitter: @DanFM104Sport About: Dan "Pitchside" Pitcher provides insight and commentary as the chief soccer and rugby correspondent for Sportspeak.