Daily Express - Breaking news, sport and showbiz from the World's Greatest Newspaper
Newspaper Cover Page
Our Paper

Front and Back Pages, E-Edition and Back Issues...

Weather
 5°C
London
Thursday 4th December 2008 Make us your HOME PAGE  What is RSS?

FOOTBALL

TRAPATTONI TO RELY ON OLD HEADS

Story Image


Giovanni Trapattoni

Thursday May 29,2008

Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni has hinted he has all but decided on his team for the start of the World Cup qualifying campaign.

The 69-year-old Italian will bring an end to his first fortnight spent working with the players when he sends them out against Colombia at Craven Cottage. Trapattoni has mainly been working with Ireland's younger players, but he admits that by the time the opening qualifier against Georgia comes around in September, it will be experience and not youth at the forefront of his mind.

He said: "I want to look at the young players, and this 15 days has been for that situation. But you cannot change five or six players in two months and play a qualifier because experience in qualifiers is very, very important."

Damien Delaney and Glenn Whelan, who made senior debuts in the 1-1 draw with Serbia at Croke Park on Saturday, will start again, and while Trapattoni may have a look at some of his emerging players when he makes his substitutions, the rest of the side has an experienced look about it.

"I don't want to change the whole team," he continued. "Maybe now I will look at one or two younger players, like Liam Miller or Glenn Whelan, and the same also with Damien Delaney."

"When we play in Georgia and Bulgaria, I need players with personality who know international football.

"The younger ones can give us power and strength, but experience in international football is very important."


Rangers keep cheque book closed as Lafferty & Miller are keen to join Ibrox Club

Rangers are refusing to enter a bidding war for Burnley's international striker ...

Read More Comment Speech Bubble Have Your Say(0)

Lamps leaves Blues in a sweat

Roman Abramovich is prepared to smash the wage structure at Chelsea by offering ...

Read More Comment Speech Bubble Have Your Say(0)

Prague holds no fears for Scotland

Bullish George Burley has blasted a warning that Scotland will go into tonight’s...

Read More Comment Speech Bubble Have Your Say(0)

Todays best TV right here for you at the Express. • See Guide

The Political Cartoonist of the Year