Trap a 'clown' blasts Harte

Reading v Burnley - npower Championship...READING, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 17: Ian Harte of Reading in action during the npower Championship match between Reading and Burnley at the Madejski Stadium on February 17, 2012 in Reading, England. (Photo by Ben Hoskins/Getty Images)...S

Aidan Fitzmaurice

IAN HARTE has ended any chance of a recall to the Ireland squad after he today labelled manager Giovanni Trapattoni a "clown".

Harte, 35, is back in the first team with Premier League side Reading and played a big role in last week's win over Sunderland.

But his international career has come to a halt under Trapattoni – Harte's last cap was under Steve Staunton in 2007.

And earlier today, the Drogheda man (pictured) took out his frustration on the Irish boss via twitter.

"To all the people asking if I have retired from international football. no I haven't trap didn't even know I was Irish #whataclown," Harte tweeted.

Harte, capped 63 times for his country, appeared for Ireland at the 2002 World Cup finals under Mick McCarthy.

However, he fell out of favour under Brian Kerr and was then ignored by Trapattoni.