GIOVANNI TRAPATTONI HAS warned James McClean that he is lucky to still be playing for the Republic of Ireland following his foul-mouthed Twitter rant.
McClean, 23, vented his fury at not coming off the bench during the Republic’s 2-1 win over Kazakhstan on Friday night, describing his experience in Astana on Twitter as a “f****n* joke”.
The Ireland boss only decided to retain the Sunderland player for tomorrow’s friendly against Oman after he apologised, and the Italian admits had McClean been playing for a bigger country, he would have been axed.
“Another manager, English or German, would have said take your bag and go home, but I might need him in the game to score a goal,” Trapattoni said. ”He was mortified (when he was pulled up in front of the squad). If he could have, he would have eaten his words. He was very apologetic. I said to everyone this is not about respect for the manager, this is about respect for everyone. I said the players are your colleagues.
“If I don’t play him, I can play others. There was Stephen Kelly and Kevin Doyle on the bench. They have many caps. The matter is closed now. With the young we need to have patience. Sometimes they say things they regret.”
Trapattoni confirmed however the winger would once again start on the bench against Oman with the the Italian planning to give 20-year-old Manchester United winger Robbie Brady a chance to impress at Craven Cottage, after last week becoming the Republic’s record goal scorer at Under-21 level.
“He’s a (type of) player we are missing,” Trapattoni said. ”(He has) vision – he sees the pass immediately – he can shoot and works hard and he is also intelligent.”
Sean St Ledger has a knee problem and should the Leicester defender be ruled out, Wigan’s James McCarthy will be the only survivor from the team that stuttered to victory in Astana at the weekend.
Trapattoni confirmed David Forde will start in goal behind a back four of Seamus Coleman, Stephen Kelly, Marc Wilson and St Ledger, providing he is fit. Should he be ruled out, he will be replaced by Hull’s Paul McShane. Brady, McCarthy, Andy Keogh and debutant David Meyler will play in midfield while Kevin Doyle will captain the side up front alongside Shane Long.
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