NATIONS CUP:THE WINNING of a first trophy in 25 years brought a complicated week for Giovanni Trapattoni to a gratifying end.

Even more questions surrounding those who weren’t in Dublin to help secure it arising in Sunday newspapers couldn’t dampen the triumph before the week’s biggest attendance of 25,161 as Trapattoni celebrated with his players on the pitch at the end.

“I’m happy for the Irish people because I know it’s 25 years since there was another trophy,” said Trapattoni in reference to the Icelandic Triangular Tournament victory under Jack Charlton.

“I am proud for the Irish people. It’s important. It’s not a friendly game. It’s important for Scotland, for Northern Ireland, for Wales and for us it’s important.

“When we lose it’s a disaster. When I win for me it’s normal. We always want to win. We can now go to Macedonia with more confidence and, I trust, to achieve a good result.

“I said (on Saturday) that sure it was no easy game because we want to win a trophy, and our satisfaction is we played again with a team which has options.

“We scored nine goals and conceded nil goals. This demonstrates (the importance) of a team playing with order and good discipline. I had confidence and trust about the result when we play with this mentality and attitude. It’s possible to achieve results.”

Captain and match winner Robbie Keane, with his record-extending 49th goal in his 107th appearance, also pleased Trapattoni. “I didn’t play him for 90 to keep him fit for Macedonia. At the moment he is fresh.”

The pressure Scotland exerted on Ireland late on was also good preparation for Macedonia.

“Yes. It will be similar,” said Trapattoni, who is confident he’ll have some of his more experienced players back ahead of the team’s departure for Skopje on Thursday.

“I know this game and this feeling we will be the same. But we will have one or two more players back, Whelan, O’Shea and also McGeady. It’s important they come in without injury.”

Scotland manager Craig Levein said the obvious word that sprung to mind was frustration.

“I felt we played the game in a manner in which we’d normally get a draw,” said Levein.

“We played well. Coming across here to play the Republic in their home ground is not easy to do. For long spells of the game we were the better team.

“You’re lucky to get two or three chances in an international match and we had double that. I’ve great admiration for my players this week. They gave absolutely everything they had at the end of a long season. The tournament for me has been excellent. The only disappointment is not winning it.”