Giovanni Trapattoni has told his Republic of Ireland players to ignore the criticism of pundits if they are to fulfil their World Cup dream.The Italian was assessing Saturday's 1-1 draw with Serbia in the first international of his reign and preparing for Thursday night's clash with Colombia at Craven Cottage.

But he did so against the backdrop of claims from one of his predecessors, Brian Kerr, that some of his senior players were unhappy with the presence of Liam Brady on his coaching staff, while talk of a broken curfew in Portugal last week continued to rumble on.

Writing in the Irish Times, Kerr suggested a series of Trapattoni's biggest names were less than impressed with Brady's appointment following his comments as a columnist and television pundit over the years.

However, Trapattoni warned the players they might as well give up if they cannot handle criticism from whatever source.

The 69-year-old said: "I was a young player and I thought about you, reporters and journalists, but as I grew up, you understand that each of us has a different job to do.

"Liam was a pundit and it is normal to be a critic. If you write something bad about a player and then they stop playing football...

"It is only by doing interviews that you learn and understand what kind of questions can be thrown at you and what kind of answers you should give.

"It is only by doing interviews that you understand that that's also part of your job as a player. It is part of the life.

"That is their problem because Liam is a good asset here, he is important for me for things.

"He was a famous player, he was captain of Ireland. In Italy there are 20, 30 ex-players who make their work in television.

"Should we all stop playing because they are criticising us? If these are the worries we have instead of thinking about going to qualify for the World Cup, it is better we stay at home."

Kerr's assessment of the situation, however, was damning.

He wrote: "The hiring and firing role of Liam Brady, along with his surly, uncomprehending demeanour, has not endeared him to seasoned squad members and the staff that have been retained.

"Also, with the ultra-professional Italians on board, the team faces a period where laughs may be as scarce as hen's teeth.

"Brady, one of Irish football's true legends as a player, has ground to make up with those players still bristling from his columns and comments as a TV pundit during recent campaigns.

"This could conceivably include Lee Carsley, Kevin Kilbane, Robbie Keane, Aiden McGeady and John O'Shea.

"Indeed, I understand his involvement with Trapattoni at the Stephen Ireland meeting did not go down so well - the Cork man being incensed by Brady's headmaster approach when seeking the Manchester City midfielder's return to the international fold.

"In attempting to combine on-field application with off-field discipline, Italian style, Trap would have been hugely disappointed with players breaking the 1am curfew by several hours. At least he knows the score now."

Trapattoni was in relaxed mood when asked about the alleged curfew violation immediately after Saturday's game, insisting he had given the players permission to have a night out after a sponsors' dinner.

But there is little doubt that he will not countenance dissent within the camp and will be quick to address any underlying issue.

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