GIOVANNI Trapattoni is not for turning on the Andy Reid saga -- he will continue to pick the team he feels is best suited for World Cup qualification despite the clamor to start Reid.

In the wake of last week's 1-0 win over Cyprus Trapattoni has warned Reid, yet to play for the new manager, that he's fallen out with bigger names in the past, including Ireland coach Liam Brady and UEFA President Michel Platini.

And Sunderland boss Roy Keane has told his Irish counterpart to do it his way as the country debates Reid's continued exclusion.

Trapattoni has confirmed that Blackburn's Keith Andrews will be next in line to act as understudy for the injured Steven Reid in next month's friendly against Poland.

With Caleb Folan due to start upfront in that game, Andy Reid again runs the risk of being left out in the cold in the last game of 2008.

"I have been in situations the same as the one with Andy Reid with real champions like Platini and Liam Brady at club level," Trapattoni told Star Sunday.

"I can go back to those situations and I can tell you that these things do not affect whether I play somebody or not.

"I understand why people are talking like this, but I will only do what is best for the team and what is best for us to qualify.

"We have a team who are playing very well now and getting the results. That is all that is important to me."

Reid may want to kick his heels in anger as his international exile continues, but his Sunderland boss Keane has told Trap to carry on regardless.

"Every manager has their own ideas and whatever Mr. Trapattoni is doing, good luck to him, because they are getting the right results. Nobody can knock that," said former Irish captain Keane.

"I wouldn't want someone like Andy coming back here under a cloud, but I think in Ireland it's been blown out of all proportion.

"Reidy was on the bench and he just has to bide his time, do well for Sunderland and he'll probably get the opportunity -- and when he gets it, he's got to take it.

"Whatever happens when the lads go away, that's up to their managers and staff. I've not really spoken to Reidy about any of these issues.

"If I thought it was affecting his training or performance I might have a word with him, but it's not."

Celtic for Croker?

GLASGOW Celtic want to play a friendly match at the home of the GAA -- and club officials are confident they will get the chance to grace the hallowed turf.

Celtic have confirmed that they are interested in playing a charity game against Barcelona at Croke Park in the near future, while they will also stage a fund raiser for cancer research at Parkhead in memory of the late Tommy Burns.

"What we would love to do - and there are clearly obstacles there - is to play in Dublin at Croke Park against top opposition and, we hope, benefit our own charity and other charities," said chief executive Peter Lawwell.

"That would be fantastic. The idea has been floated for the past couple of seasons, and we have been unable to pull it off but it's an ambition."

Celtic moved three points clear of Rangers thanks to a hard earned 2-1 win at Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

Goal scorer and man of the match Scott Brown admitted, "The performance wasn't great but it's a hard place to come and everyone's battled all the way and we managed to get the win, and that's the most important thing.

"They battle well and they play good football as well. They're a strong team, a physical team, and they're also very fit."

Defender Glenn Loovens scored the winner for the Bhoys and added, "It was a tough game, as you could see. But we battled well and got the result in the end.

Celtic went into Tuesday night's Champions League clash with Manchester United without injured strikers Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and Georgios Samaras who both face up to a month on the sidelines with groin and knee injuries respectively.

Barcelona's Brazilian left-back Sylvinho has confirmed his interest in a proposed move to Celtic when the transfer window opens in January.

"If there was an official offer, and we could agree terms, then I would be very, very excited about a move to Glasgow," said the one time Arsenal star. "If there are people at Celtic who think well of me as a footballer, then I'm pleased."

Reid Injured

STEVEN Reid's season is over and his career could be in jeopardy as a result of yet another knee injury which has forced the Ireland midfielder to fly to the U.S. for surgery by top specialist Richard Steadman.

And his Blackburn boss Paul Ince is none too happy that Irish counterpart Giovanni Trapattoni played Reid for the full 90 minutes against both Georgia and Montenegro last month.

"Like always when players go on international duty, you have to face the circumstances, whether they are good or bad when they come back," said Ince.

"Everybody wants to play for their country and Reidy has been doing exceptionally well for Ireland. I just think you have to be careful with Reidy because he is not one who can play two games in such a close time."

Soccer Shorts

LOCAL developer Tom Coughlan has completed his take-over of Cork City but has warned that costs will be cut next season. "The club has to be sustainable, that's the priority I have. The wages up to now have not been sustainable, and I'm not going to put the club at danger by paying ridiculous wages," said Coughlan . . .

WEEKEND reports suggested that Roy Keane is in no rush to sign a new contract at Sunderland, with the former Irish captain one of the names linked to Spurs where struggling manager Juande Ramos is under serious pressure . . .

THE FAI have awarded the eircom First Division game between Limerick 37 and Wexford Youths as a 3-0 win to the Wexford side after Limerick refused to play the game in a row over warm-up facilities . . .

QPR have failed with a bid to sign Hull City's new Ireland international Caleb Folan, a late substitute against Cyprus last week . . .

ST. Patrick's Athletic guaranteed themselves UEFA Cup football next season with a 3-1 win at Shamrock Rovers on Saturday night . . .

IRELAND striker Anthony Stokes has signed for Sheffield United from Sunderland on a three-month loan deal . . .

IRISH defender Stephen Kelly is back in training at Birmingham City after a thigh injury.

Dricco Injured

OUTGOING Ireland captain Brian O'Driscoll is a doubt for next month's autumn internationals after he picked up a knee injury in Saturday night's Heineken Cup win over Wasps.

O'Driscoll scored two tries before he limped out of the action at halftime in a 41-11 win for the home team.

Leinster, who lost their captain Leo Cullen with a broken collarbone in the same match, are awaiting the results of a scan on the injury which is also causing concern for Ireland boss Declan Kidney.

"Brian hurt his knee but it doesn't look too serious," said Leinster coach Michael Cheika afterwards.

"In fact he didn't want to go off at halftime but he wasn't able to run properly and that wasn't a game where the pace allowed for a player who couldn't run. I don't think it is too serious."

Cheika was delighted with his team's 30 point thumping of a poor Wasps side as Leinster took top spot in the Pool Two table.

"Leinster are now in the driving seat in this pool, there is no doubt about that after this win," said Wasps coach Ian McGeechan.

The Leinster coach

didn't quite agree with McGeechan's claim however as Rob Kearney, Luke Fitzgerald, Rocky Elsom and Felipe Contepomi also scored tries for Leinster, with Contepomi adding four conversions and a penalty.

"I'm long enough in the game to know that you are never in the driving seat this early in the competition in cup football," added Cheika.

Meanwhile, Wasps have moved their Heineken Cup match with Magners League champions Leinster on January 17 to Twickenham.

Ulster Loses

ULSTER'S Heineken Cup hopes are all but over after a controversial 42-21 defeat to Harlequins in London on Saturday when coach Matt Williams was less than impressed with referee Tim Hayes.

"At halftime the count was eight penalties, two free-kicks and a penalty try against us," said an angry Williams.

"It's an 8-0 penalty count at halftime. Are you telling me that they did not infringe at the breakdown once in the first half?

"Quins scored two great short-kicking tries in the second half. All credit to them, great skill, but the referee influenced every other Quins score in that first half. The sin-binning was Matt McCullough's frustration coming out.

"We were competing for the ball and not getting the penalties, our scrum-half was getting hit by guys coming across the side and Quins really target the breakdown, very, very smart. But no team can cope with that ocean of possession against you.

"Officiating is just so difficult at this moment but you have to be very careful what you say as a coach. We will put in a report."

Munster Wins

CHAMPIONS Munster were back to their Heineken Cup winning best as they scored a solid win over hosts Sale in Stockport on Sunday.

The Sharks did claw their way back from 13-6 down at halftime to level the game at 16-16 midway through the second half before a late David Wallace try and a Ronan O'Gara drop goal sealed it for the Reds.

Munster coach Tony McGahan said, "There are areas for improvement because things are far from over. Clermont are going to be looking to bounce back and they're a top side.

"But this was another chapter in Munster's history and full credit to the players because they were outstanding today."