James McClean warned by Republic of Ireland manager

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James McClean

Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni has told James McClean he is lucky to have an international career after his foul-mouthed Twitter rant.

McClean had described his lack of action in the World Cup qualifier with Kazakhstan as a "joke" and also swore in the tweet which was later deleted.

"Another manager, English or German, would have said take your bag and go home," said Trapattoni.

McClean will again start on the bench in Tuesday's friendly against Oman.

The Sunderland player vented his fury on the micro-blogging site at not coming off the bench during the Republic's narrow and undeserved 2-1 win over Kazakhstan in Astana on Friday night.

The Italian hauled the 23-year-old, who has been in good form for Sunderland this term, in front of the Irish squad for a public dressing down when they gathered in London.

Trapattoni only decided to retain the player for Tuesday's friendly at Craven Cottage after he made a grovelling apology, and the Italian admits had McClean been playing for a bigger country, he would have been axed.

"He was mortified (when he was pulled up in front of the squad). If he could have, he would have eaten his words," added Trapattoni.

"I said to everyone this is not about respect for the manager, this is about respect for everyone. I said the players are your colleagues.

"If I don't play him, I can play others. There was Stephen Kelly and Kevin Doyle on the bench. They have many caps.

"The matter is closed now. With the young we need to have patience - sometimes they say things they regret."

Image caption,

Giovanni Trapattoni has named his side to face Oman

Republic left-back Stephen Ward insists the squad have no problem with McClean despite his outburst.

He said: "Of course (everyone accepted his apology). We don't tend to dwell on these things.

"He was frustrated not to play and 20 minutes after the game he calmed down and was just happy we got the result. On the plane home he sort of regretted it."

With McClean again on the bench, Trapattoni instead plans to give 20-year-old winger Robbie Brady a chance to impress at Craven Cottage.

The Manchester United man is yet to start a game for his club, but enjoyed a successful loan spell at Hull last term and last week became the Republic's record goal scorer at Under-21 level.

"He's a (type of) player we are missing," Trapattoni said.

"(He has) vision - he sees the pass immediately - he can shoot and works hard and he is also intelligent."

Wigan's James McCarthy will be the only survivor from the team that stuttered to victory at the weekend.

With Keiren Westwood having been released from the squad, David Forde will start in goal behind a back four of Seamus Coleman, Stephen Kelly, Marc Wilson and Paul McShane.

McShane replaces Sean St Ledger who picked up a knock to the knee in training on Sunday.

Brady, McCarthy, Andy Keogh and debutant David Meyler will play in midfield while Kevin Doyle will captain the side up front alongside Shane Long.

Republic of Ireland: Forde, Coleman, Kelly, McShane, Wilson, Brady, McCarthy, Keogh, Meyler, Doyle Long

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