Irish soccer coach Giovanni Trapattoni was infuriated by Celtic striker Anthony Stokes' decision to withdraw from the Republic of Ireland squad this week.

Stokes had made himself unavailable for all four forthcoming international fixtures on the Republics calander.

Today the Republic play Northern Ireland and then Scotland on Sunday before a Euro 2012 qualifier against Macedonia and a friendly with Italy.

Stokes, 22, was a substitute in the Scottish Cup final on Saturday but then informed the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) he would not be reporting for international duty due to tiredness.

Trapattoni told RTE: 'I spoke with our doctor this morning about this. 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.'

Trapattoni insisted, however, that he would still consider former Sunderland player Stokes for selection in future.

'I don't forget any players, ever,' he said.