ARE you watching Giovanni Trapattoni?

Having guided the Republic of Ireland to the 2012 UEFA Championships – their first major tournament for a decade – he had his contract extended by two years to see the job through to the 2014 World Cup.

Chris McCann would surely love to be part of the journey.

And why not?

Back to full fitness and back in form, Burnley are seeing the best of the Dubliner.

Keith Fahey and Keith Andrews will testify to that.

Although there were few positives from the Clarets’ defeat at Birmingham last week, McCann dominating his midfield battle with countryman Fahey was one of them.

The Blues midfielder came on as a substitute against Estonia in their last game – the second leg of their play-off tie. A 1-1 draw, following up a 4-0 win, was enough for Eire to book their ticket to the tournament in Poland/Ukraine next summer.

Andrews started that game. He starts most for his country. But the on-loan Blackburn Rovers midfielder was practically anonymous against Burnley at Turf Moor on Tuesday, as Ipswich were roundly beaten.

The Clarets, fuelled by a McCann brace, dominated in all departments. Andrews was practically anonymous, while McCann stood out.

Perhaps he is still being penalised for what happened in 2007, when the former Home Farm youngster was called up for the Under 21s for the first time.

It wasn’t McCann’s first taste of the international set-up, having represented the Under 17s, 18s and 19s, but it was his first chance to make an impression at a more significant level.

It wasn’t a good one, however, as he walked out after taking exception to being named on the bench and not in the starting line-up for their second of two games.

At the time, U21s manager Don Givens said: “I can never understand anybody that doesn’t want to pull on the green shirt. Will I pick him again? Would you?”

A lot of water has gone under the bridge since then and their differences have been settled, although McCann has yet to earn an international recall.

Now 24, he has progressed as a person and a player to became the Clarets’ captain.

He has always said that doing a job for Burnley is his priority, and anything that comes as a result of that is a bonus.

McCann may have exited his first international experience in disgrace, somewhat, but it would be a disgrace if he wasn’t considered for the senior squad now.