Aiden McGeady will embark upon a new era for the Republic of Ireland hugely flattered by new manager Giovanni Trapattoni's knowledge of him.The 22-year-old Celtic winger trained for the first time under the Italian on Monday morning after arriving from his club's Scottish Premier League title triumph with a persistent knee problem causing him some discomfort.

He will get his first start under Trapattoni against Colombia at Fulham's Craven Cottage on Thursday evening and a first chance to show the manager what he can do.

However, the 69-year-old studied a series of DVDs of his players before meeting them for the first time and over the last week or so has spoken repeatedly of what McGeady will bring to his side.

The midfielder said: "I heard him talking on Sky Sports News and it was obviously very encouraging.

"You obviously want to impress a new manager but the fact he already knows about you and maybe seems quite impressed by you is half the battle won.

"But I still want to show him what I can do. He has not really seen me at close quarters yet but it is very encouraging that he sees me in his plans."

Like Champions League winner John O'Shea, who missed Ireland's training camp in Portugal as Manchester United's European adventure came to a dramatic conclusion, McGeady is still getting to know Trapattoni and his staff, although both the manager and coach Marco Tardelli have already made an impression on him.

McGeady said: "He [Trapattoni] seems like a really down-to-earth guy. He is nearly 70 years old but he doesn't look it.

"From what I have gathered, his training looks enjoyable and he has got a good manner about him as well, and I think the players have taken to him pretty well, him and all the coaching staff.

"Tardelli as well, he seems quite a funny guy as well, so it should be good to work with them."

McGeady will hope to bring a remarkable season to a satisfactory end by helping Trapattoni to record the first international victory of his Ireland career.

However, he will run out a week after Celtic's title triumph with events still fresh in his memory.

The Bhoys' late charge snatched the trophy from the grasp of arch-rivals Rangers to complete a hat-trick of championships for the first time since Jock Stein did it in 1974.

McGeady believes that achievement will take some beating in the modern era.

He said: "It's been done before, but only twice before and before Jock Stein, it was a long, long time ago.

"To do it in this day and age is even harder now, and that speaks for the character of the squad and the management."

Asked if a fourth successive title was a possibility, McGeady said: "Four on the trot? Just let us enjoy this one first!"

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