Stephen Ireland

[bennocelt]

People should start being against him, for him to turn down playing for Ireland, is a disgrace and I do not care if he was the best player in the world, players like that should not decide when they are ready to play for the country, The Irish National Team is far more important than that.

because in an democracy people are allowed to make their own choices

how do you know he doesn't love his country?

[youngirish]

I think this "he doesn't want to play for us so f**k him attitude" is a bit glib and a ridiculous over-simplifaction of what must be a very complex and sensitive set of personal circumstances. Ireland is a complex personality and, these very complexities are in all probably intrinsically connected to his unique footballing gifts (a la Best, Gascoigne and numerous other talented enigmas).


Stephen Ireland's personality is as complex as the plot of a typical episode of Baywatch.

Pol Pot had a complex personality. If you want to feel sympathy for anyone show it towards this misunderstood enigma of the late twentieth century. If he hadn't been subjected to such a traumatic childhood maybe the Khmer Rouge would have wiped out only 10% of the population of Cambodia and not the 30% we are all familiar with.

[Reality Bites]

Stephen Ireland's personality is as complex as the plot of a typical episode of Baywatch.

Pol Pot had a complex personality. If you want to feel sympathy for anyone show it towards this misunderstood enigma of the late twentieth century. If he hadn't been subjected to such a traumatic childhood maybe the Khmer Rouge would have wiped out only 10% of the population of Cambodia and not the 30% we are all familiar with.

Stalin had webbed feet - which meant he couldn't cross a ball to save his live and a leo burdock sized chip on his shoulder that led to the Gulags and deaths to slaughter to millions of Russians - Anyway where were we oh Stevie Ireland and R.Keane and S.Hunt subjecting him to a school boy taunting over his wig and here we are 900 + threads later!

[third policeman]

Stephen Ireland's personality is as complex as the plot of a typical episode of Baywatch.

Pol Pot had a complex personality. If you want to feel sympathy for anyone show it towards this misunderstood enigma of the late twentieth century. If he hadn't been subjected to such a traumatic childhood maybe the Khmer Rouge would have wiped out only 10% of the population of Cambodia and not the 30% we are all familiar with.

As far as I am aware Ireland is not guilty of genocide. His "crime" (for that is how some of you seem to view it) is declining to turn up to play in the odd football match. I think if we kept things in proportion there would be a much greater chance of him changing his mind.

[lionelhutz]

Clearly he does want to play international football or he would not have turned out for us in the past, but for a whole host of "reasons" which we cannot quite fathom he does not feel able to play for us at the moment.

Reminds me of the Simpsons episode where the social worker tells Homer he's a bad father and an alcoholic, Homer replies "And that's societies fault because......"

[Brendan 82]

Just imagine the sweet poetic justice when Ireland beat Greece in a playoff to make it to the World Cup and "Stevie" Ireland declares his desire to represent the land of his fathers, and is promptly told to "F$$K OFF" by Trapp.

[dublinmick]

Yep, every time there is a good performance by Ireland, he is mentioned here.

He doesn't want to play for us so whether he is the best player ever since Pele, it is irrelevant to Ireland (the country).

Look, has he said, definitively, that he doesn't want to play for Ireland again?

I, for one, would love to see him playing for us. He is sheer class.

[tricky_colour]

Allegedly he said as long as Hunt and Keane are in the squad he is not going to return.

Then the sensible thing would be for them to apologise.

[Greenforever]

The flag outside Cafe Trendy in Podgorcia before the match says it all

Stephen Manchester
He has no hair
He has no honour
He has no heart
Stephen Manchester


And this thread should be binned or moved to world football because he has no interest in playing for Ireland.

[Colbert Report]

The guys is hands down, our best performer thus far this season. If we drop points against Cyprus just watch the public call for him to return...

[eirebhoy]

And this thread should be binned or moved to world football because he has no interest in playing for Ireland.
He's Irish though, according to the English, Brazilians and whoever else that watch him every week. I'd be proud if we could produce a footballer of the standard he has been showing so far this season because he's certainly not your typical Irish or even British type footballer.

[Reality Bites]

I think he will be back before christmas!

[gwhite]

I hope this isn't in here already (i can't be arsed to read through all 40+ pages), but a City supporting pal tells me the Man City fans have come up with a song dedicated to our Stevie's Hare Krishna hair-do. It goes to the tune of Yellow Submarine "We all love Stevie Irelands swimming cap, Ireland's swimming cap, Ireland's swimming cap." Hilarious. I wonder if he'll need some time off from City to recover from this...

[NeilMcD]

However he is sod all use to us at the moment as he is refusing to play for us. Have we not learnt anything over the last few years that it takes more than talent to make a good footballing team. It is imperative that you have team spirit as well as talent. Stephen Manchester clearly does not have the team spirt to play in an international set up as he has a history of this long before Grannygate and Hairgate and Bebogate, and pimpmyjeepgate, and Superpantsgate.

I was proud of the Irish teams performances and for the first time in a long time we had the team spirit and unity and passion and concentration back in the squad. I think Stephen Manchester would take away from the team spirit of the squad so to me his talen is irrelevant at the moment.

[third policeman]

I was proud of the Irish teams performances and for the first time in a long time we had the team spirit and unity and passion and concentration back in the squad. I think Stephen Manchester would take away from the team spirit of the squad so to me his talen is irrelevant at the moment.[/quote]


Team spirit will not get us past Italy or Bulgaria (or possibly even Cyrprus). Ireland's guile and vision would add a vast amount to the team and provide Keane and Doyle with the service that they are not getting from the likes of Steven Hunt or Glen Whelan. It's total bo**ocks to imagine that Ireland's presence would damage the team spirit of the squad. Why should it? If he comes back then I would expect Ireland and his team mates to do what experienced professionals should do, move on and concentrate on playing football. If he turned in a performance for us like he did for City at the weekend I think the squad morale would be significantly improved.

[NeilMcD]

I was proud of the Irish teams performances and for the first time in a long time we had the team spirit and unity and passion and concentration back in the squad. I think Stephen Manchester would take away from the team spirit of the squad so to me his talen is irrelevant at the moment.


Team spirit will not get us past Italy or Bulgaria (or possibly even Cyrprus). Ireland's guile and vision would add a vast amount to the team and provide Keane and Doyle with the service that they are not getting from the likes of Steven Hunt or Glen Whelan. It's total bo**ocks to imagine that Ireland's presence would damage the team spirit of the squad. Why should it? If he comes back then I would expect Ireland and his team mates to do what experienced professionals should do, move on and concentrate on playing football. If he turned in a performance for us like he did for City at the weekend I think the squad morale would be significantly improved.[/QUOTE]

So you are expecting the Irish players to do the very thing that we are all slagging Stephen Manchester for. Why is it ok for Manchester not to be have like a professional and move on and concentrate on playing football.

[Reality Bites]

Team spirit will not get us past Italy or Bulgaria (or possibly even Cyrprus). Ireland's guile and vision would add a vast amount to the team and provide Keane and Doyle with the service that they are not getting from the likes of Steven Hunt or Glen Whelan. It's total bo**ocks to imagine that Ireland's presence would damage the team spirit of the squad. Why should it? If he comes back then I would expect Ireland and his team mates to do what experienced professionals should do, move on and concentrate on playing football. If he turned in a performance for us like he did for City at the weekend I think the squad morale would be significantly improved.

So you are expecting the Irish players to do the very thing that we are all slagging Stephen Manchester for. Why is it ok for Manchester not to be have like a professional and move on and concentrate on playing football.[/QUOTE]

I take your point, but I also believe that with Ireland in the Side we would be far more potent, I thought for all or organisation against Macedonia the missing ingredient was someone of Ireland vision

[NeilMcD]

Nobody is doubting that aspect of it. What I am saying and I think a few others is that there is more to team football than the ability to spot a pass etc. He has dirtied his bib big time and it will take a lot of crawling from him for him to fit back into the set. As my signature says, In Trap we trust and I will trst Il Trap on this one.

[elroy]

Now im sure this probably was an exaggeration and i havent seen the game, but newstalk last night called Irelands performance against Pompey as the best all round performance by an Irish player in an EPL game. True??

I think the biggest problem here is the limbo we're all left in. If SI came out and said I dont want to play for Ireland anymore, i have no interest etc i would have more respect for him (thou not much). But at the moment its i want to play but not yet - like what exactly does that mean. Its like telling a young one that nah i dont want to go out with you now but if you loose a bit of weight and get better looking in a few years then maybe ill give you a go then.

In other words i think he needs to be more clear in his intentions, his personal "issues" cant be so disruptive to him judging by his performances for Man C. I think for his own sake he needs to be clear about his intentions and reasons as we are only hearing from Trap and Bradys point of view, SI hasnt said a whole lot.

[lionelhutz]

I take your point, but I also believe that with Ireland in the Side we would be far more potent, I thought for all or organisation against Macedonia the missing ingredient was someone of Ireland vision

Motenegro?? I agree to a certain extent though. But I just think Ireland's too arrogant to be a benefit to the current Irish set up. If he came back and didn't get a run for the following two or three games, I've no doubt he'd quit again because he couldn't be bothered fighting for a place in the team cause he thinks he's above that.

[third policeman]

So you are expecting the Irish players to do the very thing that we are all slagging Stephen Manchester for. Why is it ok for Manchester not to be have like a professional and move on and concentrate on playing football.[/quote]


If Ireland came back then of course he would be moving on and I am certain that he would display a professional attitude on the pitch (he always has when he has played). The point was directed at those who say that Ireland should never be allowed to wear the green jersey again, and those who argue that his return would disrupt team morale.

I

[Brendan 82]

Motenegro?? I agree to a certain extent though. But I just think Ireland's too arrogant to be a benefit to the current Irish set up. If he came back and didn't get a run for the following two or three games, I've no doubt he'd quit again because he couldn't be bothered fighting for a place in the team cause he thinks he's above that.

Agreed, I could easily see him quitting again if things do not go the way he wants. Someone said above that they expect the Irish players to "act like professionals" and welcome him back into the setup. They may be professionals but they are also uneducated young men who might hold a grudge.

I think they probably made fun of his wig (Keane, Carsley, Hunt, etc. looks like there are a few messers in there anyway) and he flipped out like a lil beeyatch and is now too embarrassed to come back.

Either way, the best thing is to get to the World Cup and deny him a place in the squad. I am over him at this stage, he is a dork and I can see why the lads would not like him.

Just watch when he scores a goal or makes a great pass for City, his teammates BARELY congratulate him.

[NeilMcD]

Lads I think that Richard Dunne is a great indicator in this. I am sure Dunne would be pretty lenient with young players and he plays with Ireland at City. He also has had his tough times so he know what it is about. He more than anyone would have seen this at first hand and see what Stephen Manchester is like on a day to day basis.

Kilbane is another respected figure in Ireland circles and he is a hero to many fans for his courage and passion and dedication to the jersey. Now both of these have come out and bascially had a go at Ireland for not clearing up the rumours regarding bullying etc. They have both also questioned his passion for playing for his country and they have left in no doubt that they have very little sympathy for him.

I am willing to trust Richard Dunne and Kevin Kilbane on this issue.

[elroy]

Just watch when he scores a goal or makes a great pass for City, his teammates BARELY congratulate him.


Roy wasnt exactly loved in the united dressing room and god knows he's a difficult character. Althou im not sure SI has the same drive as him. Its bizarre that up to the granny gate affair, SI appeared to cause no trouble in the camp and seemed to be a decent international.

[tetsujin1979]

Just watch when he scores a goal or makes a great pass for City, his teammates BARELY congratulate him.
You sure about that? Because I'm pretty sure the players he's come through the youth team with (Richards, Johnson, Onuoha) all congratulate him a whole bunch, and Robinho celebrated with him for his pass at the weekend.

[youngirish]

I am willing to trust Richard Dunne and Kevin Kilbane on this issue.

I can't believe you would trust Dunne and Kilbane over a man who has lied about his grannies dying (twice), drives a pink landrover, claims he loves playing for his country yet has consistently avoided any opportunity to do so under the past three managers for over a year now, wears superman's underpants and had a hair transplant then subsequently shaved his head.

Surely your faith is misplaced.

[youngirish]

You sure about that? Because I'm pretty sure the players he's come through the youth team with (Richards, Johnson, Onuoha) all congratulate him a whole bunch, and Robinho celebrated with him for his pass at the weekend.

Robinho doesn't speak any English at present so he's yet to find out how much of a tit Ireland is.

[third policeman]

What mystifies me about this thread is the number of people who claim to be "over Stephen Ireland / Manchester" when they are quite clearly not. Also when exactly did Kilbane and Dunne "go on record" questioning Ireland's passion to play for Ireland. If they did (and I have never read anything to that effect) it would be an idiotically self-fulfilling allegation.

[Reality Bites]

I can't believe you would trust Dunne and Kilbane over a man who has lied about his grannies dying (twice), drives a pink landrover, claims he loves playing for his country yet has consistently avoided any opportunity to do so under the past three managers for over a year now, wears superman's underpants and had a hair transplant then subsequently shaved his head.

Surely your faith is misplaced.


Youngirish Neil McD is on your Side!!

[NeilMcD]

Ha ha, so now its Dunne and Kilbanes fault. Dunne was interviewed at the player of the year awards on this issue and Kilbane talked about it before the recent double header. You go and do the research and find the articles but they are out there. Dunnes was a live interview.

So you want Dunne and Kilbane to tip toe around this guy. THis is the very reason he should have to beg to come back. Nobody should be in the squad, getting special treatment, and he will come back on Traps terms not his own. I will finish with 1 questions.

Which is more important

to have a 100 percent united squad pulling together or to have

Stephen Manchester in the squad with his passing abilty.

[NeilMcD]

Youngirish Neil McD is on your Side!!

He knows that he was being ironic.

[tetsujin1979]

Robinho doesn't speak any English at present so he's yet to find out how much of a tit Ireland is.
Robinho speaks some English, but he's not fluent.
from an interview with Ireland on Man City's site: http://www.mcfc.co.uk/default.sps?pageid=115&pagegid=%7BDBD12D53%2D8346%2D431D%2DA04F%2D5D0F866 4DE80%7D&newsid=6618889&siteid=&pageno=2&newscategory=&frommonth=7&fromyear=2008&tomonth=9&toyear=2008

We can understand each other. Robinho does not speak fluent English, but I’ve had chats with him and it’s all about getting the right understanding between each other. You can see that it’s clicking out there with the movement and the passing out on the pitch.

[Brendan 82]

You sure about that? Because I'm pretty sure the players he's come through the youth team with (Richards, Johnson, Onuoha) all congratulate him a whole bunch, and Robinho celebrated with him for his pass at the weekend.

Pretty sure mate. I have seen some very muted responses from his teammates. Especially when he set-up Elano for the two a couple of weeks ago. I have seen it many other time too. Can't prove it, but I am being honest.

They don't ignore him but it is easy too see the difference between when Ireland scores compared to the rest. You don't need a doctorate in psychology to see the dynamic that is going on.

[newbie]

on the other hand did you see the ovation he got when being subbed the other day and the remarks Hughes has made about him? even saying he is Citys best player so far this season and the 2 of them laughing and joking when he was taken off?

im no fan of Irelands but try take off the tinted specs there mate. hes a smashing player and if he made himself available for any of the qualifiers up until the Bulgaria away then he should be welcomed like anyone else. if he makes himself available after them then i think he should be told "thanks,great to have you onboard but we will use you after these as the lads have put in alot of work" (providing we are still in with a shout :))

[Reality Bites]

Pretty sure mate. I have seen some very muted responses from his teammates. Especially when he set-up Elano for the two a couple of weeks ago. I have seen it many other time too. Can't prove it, but I am being honest.

They don't ignore him but it is easy too see the difference between when Ireland scores compared to the rest. You don't need a doctorate in psychology to see the dynamic that is going on.

Very Convincing I am Sold!

[third policeman]

[quote=NeilMcD;1026318]Ha ha, so now its Dunne and Kilbanes fault. Dunne was interviewed at the player of the year awards on this issue and Kilbane talked about it before the recent double header. You go and do the research and find the articles but they are out there. Dunnes was a live interview.

So you want Dunne and Kilbane to tip toe around this guy. THis is the very reason he should have to beg to come back. Nobody should be in the squad, getting special treatment, and he will come back on Traps terms not his own. I will finish with 1 questions.

Which is more important

to have a 100 percent united squad pulling together or to have


No I am not suggesting that anybody tiptoes round Stephen Ireland. I am questioning two assertions that have been propounded with varying degrees of vitriol and moral outrage by numerous contributors to this thread.

1) I do not think that Stephen Ireland should be condemned to permanent international exile or only allowed to play for Ireland when he has made appropriate public penance.

2) I do not believe that his presence in an Irish squad would disturb the sensibilities of his professional colleagues or damage team morale.

and I suppose 3) I think the onus to make the first move actually should rest with the numerous highly paid and and highly experienced members of the international managment team, rather than an obviously immature (though highly talented) 21 year old with more than his share of issues.

[Brendan 82]

Very Convincing I am Sold!

Ah I'm wrong so. He is a totally awesome guy and his teammates love him

[corkboy360]

I voted yes as he is a huge loss.Has he had any more hair transplants lately:p

[NeilMcD]

[quote=NeilMcD;1026318]Ha ha, so now its Dunne and Kilbanes fault. Dunne was interviewed at the player of the year awards on this issue and Kilbane talked about it before the recent double header. You go and do the research and find the articles but they are out there. Dunnes was a live interview.

So you want Dunne and Kilbane to tip toe around this guy. THis is the very reason he should have to beg to come back. Nobody should be in the squad, getting special treatment, and he will come back on Traps terms not his own. I will finish with 1 questions.

Which is more important

to have a 100 percent united squad pulling together or to have


No I am not suggesting that anybody tiptoes round Stephen Ireland. I am questioning two assertions that have been propounded with varying degrees of vitriol and moral outrage by numerous contributors to this thread.

1) I do not think that Stephen Ireland should be condemned to permanent international exile or only allowed to play for Ireland when he has made appropriate public penance.

2) I do not believe that his presence in an Irish squad would disturb the sensibilities of his professional colleagues or damage team morale.

and I suppose 3) I think the onus to make the first move actually should rest with the numerous highly paid and and highly experienced members of the international managment team, rather than an obviously immature (though highly talented) 21 year old with more than his share of issues.

Do you not think that this has been done already or have you not read the papers.

[TheBoss]

because in an democracy people are allowed to make their own choices

how do you know he doesn't love his country?

Well, his actions prove that he does not care about the National Team.

[elroy]

What mystifies me about this thread is the number of people who claim to be "over Stephen Ireland / Manchester" when they are quite clearly not.

I think I speak for most of us on here when i say that we would give anything to represent our country and to see a fellow Irishman treat the opportunity to represent his country like this is hard to fathom. Yes he has had his problems in the past, but the issue is why now does he feel he cannot represent his country, i dont think a valid reason has been provided by SI, while on the other hand he is playing top notch stuff week in week out for his club.

[bennocelt]

Well, his actions prove that he does not care about the National Team.

yea, but so what? He doesn't want to play for his country, thats his choice/problem, its not the end of the world

[carloz]

Im no fan of Irelands exile, to be honest i find it a disgrace on his part. But i must say Stephen Hunt is realy really making the situation much much worse. He came onto Ryan tubridys show a few months back and said some silly things about Ireland that really didnt need to be said. Im just after seeing him on TV3 news now, saying he is baffled as to why Ireland is still wont play and how he doesnt think he will get a great reception if he returns. there is no bloody need for Hunt to say this and by doing say he is no doubt reducing the chances of Ireland returning.

[eirebhoy]

Maybe Hunt just doesn't want him to return.

[third policeman]

Im no fan of Irelands exile, to be honest i find it a disgrace on his part. But i must say Stephen Hunt is realy really making the situation much much worse. He came onto Ryan tubridys show a few months back and said some silly things about Ireland that really didnt need to be said. Im just after seeing him on TV3 news now, saying he is baffled as to why Ireland is still wont play and how he doesnt think he will get a great reception if he returns. there is no bloody need for Hunt to say this and by doing say he is no doubt reducing the chances of Ireland returning.


Hunt is a liability on the field and is now proving to be off it as well. If the price of getting Ireland back is dropping Hunt (not that it is) I would be more than happy to pay it. He is frankly the most inept and self-deluded footballer ever to pull on an Ireland shirt. .

[Pauro 76]

Stephen Hunt has far too much to say for himself. I also didnt like his dishonesty on the field regarding that 'ghost goal' during the weekend.

[Longfordian]

Another goal for Ireland tonight, they're drawng 2-2 with Brighton in extra time.

[tricky_colour]

Another goal for Ireland tonight, they're drawng 2-2 with Brighton in extra time.

Well they got knocked out by Brighton in the end, the Carling Cup equivalent of Cypus.

[Lionel Ritchie]

Maybe Hunt just doesn't want him to return.

To be fair you're ascribing to Stephen Hunt a degree of forethought I doubt he could muster.
Hunt gives his all in the Ireland shirt, is an honest pro and does his best every time. That said, if the rulers of Rigel VII sent Kodos and Kang back to collect just one specimen idiot they'd overlook Homer for our Hunty.

As has been discussed before on here when he appeared on Tubridy ...he has no inner voice ...he thinks something and verbalises it instantaneously -completely devoid of the form of social censorship most people use to put a more presentable form on the whim that has just crossed their mind. It's actually quite facinating to watch in a Wow-he's-a-complete-****ing-moron kind of way.

For all that, I'd have a team of Hunts ahead of having to drop the one we have to accomodate someone who just doesn't want to be there badly enough.

[Greenforever]

Im no fan of Irelands exile, to be honest i find it a disgrace on his part. But i must say Stephen Hunt is realy really making the situation much much worse. He came onto Ryan tubridys show a few months back and said some silly things about Ireland that really didnt need to be said. Im just after seeing him on TV3 news now, saying he is baffled as to why Ireland is still wont play and how he doesnt think he will get a great reception if he returns. there is no bloody need for Hunt to say this and by doing say he is no doubt reducing the chances of Ireland returning.


And if Stephen Manchester was playing for his country these questions would never be posed by journalists, FFS its all SM's problem, and blaming others is taking the **** big time