Keane boost as Trap pressure mounts

Published Monday, 15 October 2012
Comments
Toggle font size
Print

As pressure mounts on Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni, it looks like skipper Robbie Keane could be set to return against the Faroe Islands.

Keane boost as Trap pressure mounts
Giovanni Trapattoni looks on during the FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifier on Friday. (© Getty)

Keane was unavailable for last week's 6-1 home defeat to Germany in the World Cup qualifiers with an Achilles injury - however he was on board the plane which left Dublin for Torshavn ahead of Tuesday night's must-win game against the Group C minnows.

It will come as a boost for Trapattoni, who was has faced increasing criticism in the wake of the biggest ever loss for the Irish on home soil.

A spokesman for the Football Association of Ireland said: "Following training this morning (Sunday) in Gannon Park, Robbie Keane has been ruled fit to travel with the squad for Tuesday's match against the Faroe Islands."

The result at the Aviva Stadium followed an unconvincing 2-1 win over Kazakhstan last month - in which Keane scored his 54th senior international goal.

Some bookmakers have increased the odds that the Italian manager's reign will come to an end before the end of the year.

Trapattoni has indicated he plans to make changes to his side to face the Faroes.

When you fail, it is no good being angry. You have to accept Germany were superior.

Giovanni Trapattoni

However, frontman and consolation goal scorer Andy Keogh will not be one of the beneficiaries after being ruled out of the trip with concussion.

The FAI spokesman continued: "Andy Keogh suffered a knock to the head in training on Saturday. He was observed overnight by the FAI medical team and has been ruled unfit to travel to the Faroe Islands this afternoon (Sunday) due to mild concussion."

Meanwhile the manager has insisted he wasn't angry about what he saw at the Aviva Stadium, after fielding a side that lacked experience against the Germans.

Critics have claimed the result was the inevitable outcome of a flawed approach but Trapattoni appeared happy to write it off as a little more than a bad day at the office.

He said: "Maybe in my life I have lost only one time 6-1 - it was a derby in Milan. But there are games where everything goes wrong. It's possible.

"Germany were superior and after they took the lead, they could play easily and with energy. This can happen. I was a player and it can happen.

"When you fail, it is no good being angry. You have to accept Germany were superior.

"I can't be angry with my players. I have to re-charge the batteries because we need their enthusiasm and their energy for the next game on Tuesday."

© UTV News
Comments Comments
1 Comments
Ryan in Belfast wrote (216 days ago):
Its not Traps fault. Trap is a brillant manager when you look at his record and his experience. The problem with the ROI squad is our best talent is either retiring or ageing. When you compare ROI ten years ago in the 2002 World Cup they were ten timess better than what they are today. Even the last match between ROI and Germany back in 2007 was a close match which ended in a 1-1 draw. We just need new talent, not a new manager. Every team has its up's and down's, this is just one of those times.
POST A COMMENT:
Name:  
Email address*:    
Location:  
Validation:
House Rules:  
Your Comment:  
[All comments are moderated and will not appear immediately. Your name, location and comment will be displayed on this page if your post passes moderation.]
MICHAEL LAW
After 26 years Sir Alex finally calls it a day. There are so many adjectives you can use to describe the most successful manager in British football history but none can q ...
MOST POPULAR GALLERIES
UVF centenary parade
Sat 20 April 2013
BGT auditions - Week 2
Sat 20 April 2013