Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni has warned James McClean that he is lucky to still have an international career following his foul-mouthed Twitter rant.
McClean vented his fury at not coming off the bench during the Republic's undeserved 2-1 win over Kazakhstan on Friday night. The 23-year-old described his personal experience in Astana as a "f****n* joke" - a move that clearly did not go down with the Italian, who hauled the player in front of the squad for a public dressing down in London on Sunday.
Trapattoni, who only decided to retain the player for Tuesday's friendly against Oman after he made a grovelling apology, said: "Another manager, English or German, would have said take your bag and go home, but I might need him in the game to score a goal."
He added: "He was mortified (when he was pulled up in front of the squad). If he could have, he would have eaten his words. He was very apologetic.
"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."
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. He apologised to the lads and we have moved on from it."
McClean's apology has not been enough to earn him a starting place in the Republic's game against Oman after Trapattoni confirmed the winger would once again start on the bench.
Source: PA
