Trap fury at Stokes' claim of tiredness

Giovanni Trapattoni is infuriated by Celtic striker Anthony Stokes' decision to withdraw from the Republic of Ireland squad because of tiredness.

Stokes, 22, played 22 minutes of the Scottish Cup Final on Saturday and, prior to that, his most recent first team outing came 17 days ago, playing for 58 minutes against Caley Thistle.

Stokes has made himself unavailable for all four forthcoming fixtures. The Republic play Northern Ireland tomorrow and Scotland on Sunday in the Carling Nations Cup in Dublin before a Euro 2012 qualifier against Macedonia and a friendly with Italy.

Trapattoni said: "Young players have a fun job. It is not a job like the working man's. It is not a difficult job. For me it is an 11-month holiday. I played 70 games every season - national, championship, Europe.

"It is unbelievable, so we must educate our players. We are lucky and we have to enjoy playing football. It is a fine life.

"It is a new generation. Sometimes there is more pressure now but players should understand how beautiful our job is.

"Injuries are injuries, but they should visit our doctor. That is the rule. If they are asked by the national team they must go.

"If they are in hospital or they are dead, that is okay, but if there is an injury they should see our doctor."