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Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni. INPHO/Donall Farmer
Road to Rio

'Green Gattuso' justified his selection, insists satisfied Giovanni Trapattoni

The Ireland boss had praise for the likes of Paul Green and James McCarthy after the draw in Stockholm.

IT WASN’T THE midfield pairing he had initially named this week, but that didn’t stop Giovanni Trapattoni hailing the contribution of James McCarty and Paul Green this evening.

The pairing were at the centre of a solid Irish performance that ultimately earned the visitors a scoreless draw in Stockholm.

Ireland now face into the second part of a World Cup qualification double-header — against Austria in Dublin on Tuesday — with renewed confidence according to Trap.

“We started very well. The team started with confidence, with personality, with determination,” he said afterwards.  ”I think we deserved the result and their performance has been very very good. Especially McCarthy, also Coleman and I am very happy. Also the last 30 minutes it was possible to achieve the winner

“It was not easy to change because all the players played well but to force the situation with Hoolahan, with Sammon, with Andy Keogh… with these changes I hope we score goal.”

When asked about the man-of-the-match performance from James McCarthy, after his late promotion to the starting XI, Trapattoni says the Wigan midfielder can do more.

“I said he improves always, he improves every game and it’s important he does more because physically and technically also. He can be shy so I say to him, remember, you must command the player and command the play. And in fact I am happy because I think he can be a very very important player for us,” he told RTÉ’s Tony O’Donoghue.

And Paul Green display is a vindication? “Sure, because Paul Green is underestimated by the media but I think James play very well but with the support of Paul. We know similarities for example with Gattuso , then the other can play well becasue he doesnt spend as much energy. This combination played well together

Asked if Glenn Whelan would be recovered and feature in the team on Tuesday, the Italian insisted he didn’t know.

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