Glenn Whelan still going strong as he hits the half-century

Even after the post-Euros makeover, Giovanni Trapattoni’s brand of football may not be to everyone’s taste, but the Italian knows what he likes and Glenn Whelan, who will this evening complete the fastest half-century of Irish caps, clearly falls into that category.

The Dubliner made his debut at this level in Trapattoni’s first game in charge, against Serbia, a little over five years ago, and has barely missed a minute of Ireland’s outings during the couple of seasons that have followed. Even now, with 49 appearances in 61 games under the former Juventus boss, he has featured more regularly for the Italian than any of his teammates.

Whelan, it somehow seems, is never quite the man of the moment but he is versatile enough to ensure even as things change around him, he does not go out of fashion. It’s a useful trait to have just now, a time of upheaval with club and country.

At the European Championships, which he describes as both a career highlight and a disaster almost in the same breath, he was already calling for a change to the system that, he believed, had allowed other sides to swamp Ireland in midfield.

Trapattoni loyalist
As a Trapattoni loyalist who soldiered in the trenches, his comments mattered far more than most and the Italian has, however gradually, sought to address a situation that has seriously hindered his side whenever they come up against better opponents.

“I’ve obviously always said that playing different formations, especially playing three in the middle, could be a big thing for us,” he said as Ireland wrapped up training for the day. “We play a lot of teams that play three in the middle and it’s been difficult.

“If we have Wes in there . . . well, everyone knows what he can do; he’s in the team to score goals or break teams up which he’s very good at. If he plays in that position then whoever’s in there with him just has to try to give him the ball.”

Hoolahan starts tonight and Whelan is likely to do just that; try to pick up possession and pass it on to the Norwich midfielder who will help out on the defensive side of things as well as providing a much needed outlet when the rest of the Irish are in possession but, perhaps, all out of ideas.

At his club, meanwhile, Whelan is being asked to be a little more creative himself with new Stoke boss Mark Hughes aiming to transform the team’s reputation for employing a direct style of play.

“We’ve been trying things in different areas in pre season,” he says. “He (Hughes) has asked me to try and get forward more and try and help out the forwards. Last year, I was told to sit. Hopefully, I can get forward, have a few shots and try and nick a few goals.

"It's been a few years since I got to do that. I'm not having a go at the previous manager (Tony Pulis) though. We were pretty successful the way we played. People can moan about that and as players you want to play the Spanish or Brazil way but it's not always to be."

Their pragmatism
Few are better placed to recognise that reality than Whelan and few have profited more from their pragmatism. Tonight he'll become the 36th player to make a 50th appearance for his country, matching Paddy Mulligan's tally and closing on those of quite a few greats. "Yeah," he said, "it's a great achievement for myself, my family and people close to me; I'm over the moon.

“I’ve been lucky,” he observed when it is pointed out to him that it took Ronnie Whelan more than twice as long, some 12 years, to achieve the milestone. “Since the manager came in, he’s given me a regular run-out. Touchwood, I’ve been lucky with injuries and suspensions. I’ve been available.”

At 29, there is the scope for quite a few more yet and he has, perhaps, even more reason than most for hoping that Ireland make it to Brazil for that might well mean another campaign for the manager who has made him so central to the team.

“It’s still there, still achievable,” he said with his usual conviction. “I’m sure the reporters are asking same questions of the Austrians and Swedes. But the next two games are massive.”

For him, at least, this one should be fairly hard to forget too.