Trapattoni rules out a McClean start in Germany tie

Paul Hyland

GIOVANNI Trapattoni killed any loose talk about radical change for Germany next month and brought everyone back down to earth with a bump after last night's 4-1 win over Oman.

Choosing to see the glass half empty, he tried to pour cold water on any suggestion that a new Ireland could emerge from a friendly game against poor enough opposition.

"The victory is important but more important, I know better the players from the performances. Coleman, Wilson, Brady," he said. "For Germany, maybe I can change one player because Germany need particular attention."

Star turn Robbie Brady?

"Brady was good and he can be better. In his club he plays better.

"He might be called into squad but maybe not play. He doesn't play every week. It's not only Robbie Brady who doesn't play every week. Our problem is that five or six players play usually, the others only play 30 minutes occasionally.

"The first half, in the early moments, we play good, we played well and scored a goal. I think it was much better than Kazakhstan," he said, delivering his summary in a remarkably low key way.

"The team had four or five changes but there was better geometry. We lost momentum when we changed the situation and made substitutions but that is normal. We changed six players. With the same 11, we might have continued and got better.

"But it clarified things about James McCarthy for me. (David) Meyler did well in his position and showed good personality. Marc Wilson and (Seamus) Coleman were very important for me."

And looking forward to Germany, do any of them have a chance of even featuring in the squad?

"With the squad, yes, but we have to think. These young options have a good attitude -- Coleman at the back, Meyler increased as he went on and McCarthy, if he continues to play that position, he builds personality."

James McClean's 30-minute cameo was powerful and direct and brought the small crowd to their feet. Will he play a part against Germany?

"Probably no. I think about (Aiden) McGeady, I think about another winger. Every coach, every manager must think what is the strength of the opponent. In this moment, McClean has only played one game with us."