Giovanni Trapattoni attempts to lure Damien Duff back to Ireland team

“We have been watching also new players, maybe we will discover a new Irish player. He has to decide whether he wants to play or not.”

Gibson delivered the news of his refusal to play in a phone call to the Italian.

Trapattoni added, “I spoke with Gibson for a long time. He explained to me that he was disappointed. I understood but I said to him that we were all disappointed after the defeats in the Euro campaign, but I said that this is a time for a new opportunity for the Republic.

“I could have played him against Italy in the final Euro game but I explained to him it was impossible to change.

“With 20 minutes to go in our match Italy could have gone out and Croatia could qualify. If we changed it and we lost it would have looked like I favored Italy.”

Trap has also responded to suggestions he is under real pressure going into the World Cup campaign after Ireland’s dismal Euro performance.

“We must be proud starting this new campaign and we must have the willingness to take revenge,” he said.
 

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Nster.com