Very interesting comments from Trap on Reid, Murphy, Long and Keogh.
The manager also had encouraging words for players who have not yet broken into what is becoming an increasingly settled first XI – including Irish football’s latest cause celebre, Andy Reid.
“I know from when I played football what it’s like to sit on the bench – and I was never happy. Before Wednesday’s game I had on a piece of paper in my pocket three changes I might make during the match – for example Andy Reid for one striker. But I have 30 years’ experience and I knew that if we lost the support that (Robbie) Keane and (Kevin) Doyle were giving to our midfield it might be a problem. I thought also about bringing on (Daryl) Murphy because his style is different. But that’s normal – before every game I write who might come in for someone else but then, on the pitch itself, it’s not always possible to make those changes.
“In future, we will look at other players – maybe in the friendly game against Poland. We might look at (Shane) Long and (Andy) Keogh, say. For that reason it’s very important that the young players, in particular, get games for their clubs.”
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