Giovanni Trapattoni has finally snapped. The lamentable antics of his younger Republic of Ireland players has pushed him over the edge.

James McCarthy was first on the chopping block for failing to respond to any messages left on his phone since being named to the squad.

FAI officials still refuse to rule out McCarthy simply turning up on the day but considering his intentions were under scrutiny to start with, the doubts about him have clearly intensified.

Trapattoni then sounded exasperated as he recounted sending countless text messages to Caleb Folan without one reply.  He is routinely unaware of whether Leon Best is or isn’t fit ahead of any given game and as for Anthony Stokes being too tired to represent his country, it was clearly a bridge too far for the irate coach.

The lack of enthusiasm, Trapattoni told the Irish Times, has left him "a little bit bitter."