Keogh Thankful To Trappatoni

Last updated : 12 September 2013 By Covsupport News Service

Former Coventry City defender Richard Keogh has said that he is grateful to Giovanni Trappatoni for giving him a chance to play international football.

The centre half now skippering Derby County told Steve Nicholson of the Derby Telegraph after the sacking of Trappatoni from the Republic Of Ireland manager's job: “I have got a lot to thank him (Trapattoni) for. He gave me my debut for Ireland, so for that, I owe him a lot.

“The last two qualifiers have been disappointing and maybe it was time for a change but when you look at his record, he has been great for the country and he leaves with his head held high"

Keogh was not involved in the team beaten by Sweden and Austria and he said: “I have been disappointed not to be involved but that is football.

“If I can keep playing well for Derby and the team keeps playing some good football, then, hopefully, I will be in and around the squad, and, hopefully, in it.

“Once you get a taste for international football, you want more.

“After the Georgia game, and not just because of my goal, I came off the pitch thinking I had shown I can play at that level.

“Ask any player who is in the squad and then not called up for the next game, there is a natural disappointment. So, yes, there was an air of frustration.

“I have been very proud to play for Ireland and, hopefully, I can do so again.”

More on this: http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/story-19781778-detail/story.html