by Glenn Mason
Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni has strongly defended his decision to drop Kevin Foley from his Euro 2012 squad in favour of Paul McShane.
Trapattoni reiterated that the decision was based on McShane's versatility in light of injury concerns over Richard Dunne, John O'Shea and Sean St Ledger.
The manager informed Foley that he was being left out of the squad shortly before the UEFA deadline on Tuesday morning.
The Wolves defender said he felt "betrayed" by Trapattoni after he was named in the original squad on 7 May and had recovered from a hamstring injury.
Trapattoni's comments came in a testy exchange with the media at Ireland's training camp in Borgo A Buggiano, near their base in Montecatini.
He said: "I have already explained to you why I chose between two players with different characteristics. I don't have anything else to add.
"We speak about the training. We speak about what we can do again. The team is happy and play well. I don't wish to speak again about this situation. Finished. Finished. Finished."
The Italian also criticised the media for what he believed was its less than enthusiastic response to McShane's surprise inclusion.
He said: "I ask of you: Paul McShane is Irish player or a foreign player? I called in another Irish player so I don't see the problem. I also clarified why. For the position. For the position. The position is for defender. It is clear."
"I no call a striker or a winger. I am finished with this question."
Trapattoni said he was initially unaware of the level of resentment Foley was harbouring, but left the door open for him to return to the squad if one of the defenders has to withdraw.
"He know my opinion. We let him stay quiet and think about what he will do," said Trapattoni. "No problem. He must decide what he wish to do."
Much of the criticism levelled at Trapattoni has centred around his decision not to name a larger initial squad of 26 or 27 players and then reduce it closer to the deadline.
However, he was unequivocal in his view that disappointing four or five players is the same as disappointing one.
Trapattoni said: "You have to think that 50km from here there is another national team (Italy). They have 32 players. Think about the nine players that go back.
"It [the situation] is gone. We have a responsibility to the team and with the country. We are professional, not idiot. Not idiot.
"To decide one or two or four is the same. They would all be disappointed. I already explained to you in Italy many years ago that seven go home and seven were disappointed.
"We need one position, maybe another position. Maybe another striker or a winger. It is the same situation. I don't want to talk about this anymore. I really don't want to talk about this."
Moving to matters on the field, Trapattoni confirmed that John O'Shea and Shay Given are "perfect" and recovered from their ankle and knee injuries respectively. Both players took a full part in training this morning.
The squad leaves its Tuscan base at the weekend for the friendly game against Hungary in Budapest on Monday evening.
The manager said the team that takes to the field in the Ferenc Puskas stadium will be close to the side that starts against Croatia in the opening game of Euro 2012 on 10 June.
He said: "Shay Given I think is no problem. We will start the team in the last test that probably also 90% that start the Euro."
