milkman
Banned
- Oct 3, 2005
- 12,150
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Source: Sky Sports
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11675_3401053,00.html
Newly appointed Republic of Ireland head coach Giovanni Trapattoni has chosen to retain Robbie Keane as Republic of Ireland captain.
It is also understood that the former Italy boss will meet with defenders Steve Finnan and Andy O'Brien in a bid to persuade them to come out of international retirement.
The Italian's assistants Liam Brady and Marco Tardelli unveiled first Republic of Ireland squad at the FAI headquarters in Dublin on Tuesday.
The pair announced a 40-man preliminary squad which will be reduced to 28 ahead of the training camp in Portugal in late May, with Trapattoni eager to include Liverpool full-back Finnan and Bolton centre-back O'Brien in his future plans.
Goalkeeper Paddy Kenny and midfielder Stephen Ireland were included in the squad after being overlooked by former boss Steve Staunton, while Brady admitted that Trapattoni wanted Keane to remain as skipper.
Experience
"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 said.
"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.
"I believe it will take the manager to convince the players to come back and in that we have to look at (goalkeeper) Dean Kiely too, not just Andy and Finnan.
The squad includes seven players from Roy Keane's Sunderland, prompting questions over the fiery relationship between Keane and Brady that stems from Keane's behaviour at the 2002 World Cup.
Insult
Speaking in Dublin earlier in the week, Keane mocked Brady's appointment, labelling him as nothing more than a 'translator' for Trapattoni, but the Arsenal academy director was quick to put any personal differences aside.
"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.
"I think it's time now to forget about that. It's about Trapattoni, we have a campaign to qualify for the World Cup in South Africa and that's all that matters.
"My personal issue with Roy should be totally forgotten and that's what I'm doing from today."
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this just proves Keano's leadership skills, and his experience.
regarding the thread that Woodgate should be captain, deffo not. it should be KEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAANNNNOOOOOOOO! :bow:
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11675_3401053,00.html
Newly appointed Republic of Ireland head coach Giovanni Trapattoni has chosen to retain Robbie Keane as Republic of Ireland captain.
It is also understood that the former Italy boss will meet with defenders Steve Finnan and Andy O'Brien in a bid to persuade them to come out of international retirement.
The Italian's assistants Liam Brady and Marco Tardelli unveiled first Republic of Ireland squad at the FAI headquarters in Dublin on Tuesday.
The pair announced a 40-man preliminary squad which will be reduced to 28 ahead of the training camp in Portugal in late May, with Trapattoni eager to include Liverpool full-back Finnan and Bolton centre-back O'Brien in his future plans.
Goalkeeper Paddy Kenny and midfielder Stephen Ireland were included in the squad after being overlooked by former boss Steve Staunton, while Brady admitted that Trapattoni wanted Keane to remain as skipper.
Experience
"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 said.
"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.
"I believe it will take the manager to convince the players to come back and in that we have to look at (goalkeeper) Dean Kiely too, not just Andy and Finnan.
The squad includes seven players from Roy Keane's Sunderland, prompting questions over the fiery relationship between Keane and Brady that stems from Keane's behaviour at the 2002 World Cup.
Insult
Speaking in Dublin earlier in the week, Keane mocked Brady's appointment, labelling him as nothing more than a 'translator' for Trapattoni, but the Arsenal academy director was quick to put any personal differences aside.
"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.
"I think it's time now to forget about that. It's about Trapattoni, we have a campaign to qualify for the World Cup in South Africa and that's all that matters.
"My personal issue with Roy should be totally forgotten and that's what I'm doing from today."
_____________________________________
this just proves Keano's leadership skills, and his experience.
regarding the thread that Woodgate should be captain, deffo not. it should be KEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAANNNNOOOOOOOO! :bow:
