Stephen Ireland

[holidaysong]

Anyone else notice that on Football Focus on BBC that Mark Lawrenson always has a go at him for not playing for his country?

[tricky_colour]

Anyone else notice that on Football Focus on BBC that Mark Lawrenson always has a go at him for not playing for his country?

Not surprising really. I watched some of the match and he played well, seemed to get stuck into tackles etc more than he used to. Top rating on both BBC and SkySports. Reminded me of Roy Keane!!

In more ways than one ;)

[richieos]

http://www.rte.ie/sport/2005/1220/irelands.html


"I would love to play for Ireland, absolutely love it," said Ireland in the official Manchester City magazine.
"If I got a cap this season then it would make my year. There is a friendly in the spring and I would love to get in that squad under the new manager, whoever that might be.''


that was only a couple of years ago. it just doesnt make sense

[Jicked]

He got teased by bigger boys. The FAI made a tit out of him by going public with his Granny lies. He's all embarassed and doesn't want anything more to do with them. He wont be coming back any time soon. Time to move on.

[dr_peepee]

. Reminded me of Roy Keane!!

In more ways than one ;)


You totally "went there"....:)

[Dr. Ogba]

Man of the Match again and his eight goal of the season. He's now dominated the crap out of both Arsenal and Schalke in the space of a couple of days and has comfortably passed out Robinho as City's MVP. It's frightening how quickly he's becoming world class.

its frightening how much you're obsessed with him more like...

[lionelhutz]

Roy should be watching his back as top Irish player of all time. Stevie will be gunning for his place if he keeps this up.

Will you please give us all a break and stop spouting sh**e? Your obsession is at the level of a bunny boiler. I bet you shaved your head to look like a penis too

[third policeman]

He got teased by bigger boys. The FAI made a tit out of him by going public with his Granny lies. He's all embarassed and doesn't want anything more to do with them. He wont be coming back any time soon. Time to move on.

I think your analysis is pretty spot on, but it would be tragic if Ireland never played for us again. I spoke yesterday to a former senior employee at City who was involved in the post-grannygate aftermath. According to him, Ireland is simply too embarassed to return to international football. He has been slated by fans and media and there's just too much hastle and complication. Apparently Staunton and Sven met with him at City and both tried to persuade him to come back, but there has been little contact either from the FAI or Trapp in recent months.

I still think its too easy to say that he has brought this on himself and therefore its totally up to him to resolve him.I think he does want to play international football, but its just too difficult for him to plot a way back on his own.

[BigmanCas]

He is the the most in form Irish player in the premiership(bar Given). I will hold my hands up and say I believed previously that he was a flash in the pan at club level. I will say he was poor against Cyprus in Nicosia and cost us the game but time is a great healer. He is showing some great class playing for Man City and we need him back in the international fold. How can this be achieved? I was a naysayer but now I am of the opinion that we as a country should rally together and bring this talent back. No more of the past. to quote Beckett - "ever tried?, ever failed?, No matter, try again fail again - fail better. Stephan you are an Irishman and we need you.

Then again if Trapp doesn't play Reid then who is to say he will play Ireland??????????

[Reality Bites]

I think your analysis is pretty spot on, but it would be tragic if Ireland never played for us again. I spoke yesterday to a former senior employee at City who was involved in the post-grannygate aftermath. According to him, Ireland is simply too embarassed to return to international football. He has been slated by fans and media and there's just too much hastle and complication. Apparently Staunton and Sven met with him at City and both tried to persuade him to come back, but there has been little contact either from the FAI or Trapp in recent months.

I still think its too easy to say that he has brought this on himself and therefore its totally up to him to resolve him.I think he does want to play international football, but its just too difficult for him to plot a way back on his own.

Spot on, people have to remember he is only 22 years old - emotionally he probably still needs to mature a good bit, posters on this website should cut down on the vitriolic attacks, I believe he will come back he is just simply too good to be be ignored.

[elroy]

I think your analysis is pretty spot on, but it would be tragic if Ireland never played for us again. I spoke yesterday to a former senior employee at City who was involved in the post-grannygate aftermath. According to him, Ireland is simply too embarassed to return to international football. He has been slated by fans and media and there's just too much hastle and complication. Apparently Staunton and Sven met with him at City and both tried to persuade him to come back, but there has been little contact either from the FAI or Trapp in recent months.

I still think its too easy to say that he has brought this on himself and therefore its totally up to him to resolve him.I think he does want to play international football, but its just too difficult for him to plot a way back on his own.

Thats bull in my opinion. Its clear that he is wanted back by the management and the fans in general. Look at the Roy Keane situation, he came back when a large portion of the Irish public did not want him back. Once he got over the first game back against Romania that was the end of it. Same would be the situation with SI, if he came back he might get a bit of stick in the first game but that would be it then.

I for one would never boo an Irish player and if he came back id be very happy to see him back, same would apply for Andy O'B.

[as_i_say]

Thats bull in my opinion. Its clear that he is wanted back by the management and the fans in general. Look at the Roy Keane situation, he came back when a large portion of the Irish public did not want him back. Once he got over the first game back against Romania that was the end of it. Same would be the situation with SI, if he came back he might get a bit of stick in the first game but that would be it then.

I for one would never boo an Irish player and if he came back id be very happy to see him back, same would apply for Andy O'B.

Spot on Elroy. I wouldnt boo him either and he probably is fearing that kind of reception but you would really think that he would be back at this stage if thats his only worry. People would get over it very quickly. He obviously isnt the slightest bit interested unfortunately, and anyway Trapetoni probably wouldnt play the little baldo.

[tricky_colour]

You totally "went there"....:)

No I watched it on tinternet. :D

http://sotube.blogspot.com/2008/11/schalke-vs-manchester-city-0-2.html

[Morbo]

Whats up with everyone saying "spot on"?
Anyway I really don't think he will be coming back, there is absolutely no evidence to indicate that he has any intention of coming back and the only reason some people believe that he can be coxed back is because they want to believe it, if he was English and had left the English team the way he left Ireland I doubt anyone here would be making excuses and looking to blame management or the FA for his carry on.

[Wheels]

As I mentioned before, I think he just feels like he wouldn't be welcomed... more by the fans than the team. As evidence I'd point to him mentioning that he still gets hate mail from Ireland to the training ground.

I believe that if he felt the fans wanted him back that he might come back... January is a time for a fresh start.

But he needs to feel wanted. Maybe a campaign of come on back Christmas cards to the training ground would win him over? How pro-active are people feeling?

[DeLorean]

Whats up with everyone saying "spot on"?
Anyway I really don't think he will be coming back, there is absolutely no evidence to indicate that he has any intention of coming back and the only reason some people believe that he can be coxed back is because they want to believe it, if he was English and had left the English team the way he left Ireland I doubt anyone here would be making excuses and looking to blame management or the FA for his carry on.

Spot on Morbo, feckin spot on lad :D

[third policeman]

As I mentioned before, I think he just feels like he wouldn't be welcomed... more by the fans than the team. As evidence I'd point to him mentioning that he still gets hate mail from Ireland to the training ground.

I believe that if he felt the fans wanted him back that he might come back... January is a time for a fresh start.

But he needs to feel wanted. Maybe a campaign of come on back Christmas cards to the training ground would win him over? How pro-active are people feeling?

I'm up for it, and call me stupid but I think its the kind of thing that might just work.

[DeLorean]

I'm up for it, and call me stupid but I think its the kind of thing that might just work.

I don't know, I love my football and would be delighted if Ireland returned to the set up but I think that's desperation beyond belief. Even Roy Keane didn't get that kind of special treatment!! When he's man enough to realise that playing for his country is worth a couple of awkward minutes with his team mates and a few boo's from the stands then he'll come back, until then though I just hope he's being advised sensibly by those around him.

[paul_oshea]

does anyone else think he is spinning more lies? I mean who would be sad enough to send hate mail.

I'd say maybe one person, and that person should/is in a home. Seriouslly. I think this guy has an issue with deciphering between the truth and the not so true.

[third policeman]

I don't know, I love my football and would be delighted if Ireland returned to the set up but I think that's desperation beyond belief. Even Roy Keane didn't get that kind of special treatment!! When he's man enough to realise that playing for his country is worth a couple of awkward minutes with his team mates and a few boo's from the stands then he'll come back, until then though I just hope he's being advised sensibly by those around him.


I think this is a case where time is not a healer. The longer it goes on the more difficult it becomes for Ireland to find a way back. I dont know whether anyone is advising him. My Man City source told me that Dunne had "washed his hands" of Ireland. Apparently his father is the main influence over him, and apparently not a desperatley mature or constructive one. I still think that its Trapp and the FAI who should be making the positive moves, and providing Ireland with the support, guidance and reassurance that he seems to need. Its not a case of "special treatment", footballers are human beings and all of them need different approaches. Ireland is clearly "high maintenance", but he is also highly talented and it is the responsibility of management to motivate players, and that includes motivating them to turn up..

[DeLorean]

I think this is a case where time is not a healer. The longer it goes on the more difficult it becomes for Ireland to find a way back. I dont know whether anyone is advising him. My Man City source told me that Dunne had "washed his hands" of Ireland. Apparently his father is the main influence over him, and apparently not a desperatley mature or constructive one. I still think that its Trapp and the FAI who should be making the positive moves, and providing Ireland with the support, guidance and reassurance that he seems to need. Its not a case of "special treatment", footballers are human beings and all of them need different approaches. Ireland is clearly "high maintenance", but he is also highly talented and it is the responsibility of management to motivate players, and that includes motivating them to turn up..

Ya that's a fair point, different players do need different approaches. It's a perfect opportunity for more talks to be held I think. We're sitting pretty in the group which would have to be a big incentive for Ireland himself, saying that there's still the majority of games to be played so it won't look totally like he's just coming back to get in on the World Cup act, there's a couple of months before the next match and with a new year on the way he might want to start off 2009 on a positive note and leave all the sh!t of the past couple of yrs behind him.

[tricky_colour]

does anyone else think he is spinning more lies? I mean who would be sad enough to send hate mail.

I'd say maybe one person, and that person should/is in a home. Seriouslly. I think this guy has an issue with deciphering between the truth and the not so true.

I would not be surprised at all, it only takes a few people out of millions, there are people who think Elvis is still alive you know, or that 911 was planned by the CIA etc....

Personally, as far as qualification goes I don't think it will make that much difference, we can certainly qualify without him, and we are not guaranteed qualification if he does come back.

Apart from anything else he should come back for his own sake, never mind the Ireland's (ROI) he is currently ranked 4th in the Actim index, he should not deny himself the chance to play on the world stage as those chances don't come along very often.

(others in the top 100 at the moment are Keane, McShane and O'Brien).

[geysir]

does anyone else think he is spinning more lies? I mean who would be sad enough to send hate mail.

I'd say maybe one person, and that person should/is in a home. Seriouslly. I think this guy has an issue with deciphering between the truth and the not so true.
In my experience, when people talk about themselves, they often bend
the facts... or even break them.

On Stephen Ireland playing for Ireland (with a slight adjustment).
"Yes he can... but no he won't."

[lionelhutz]

He's now selling his used boxers from that famous event last year. (proceeds going to charity)



http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/STEPHEN-IRELAND-SUPERMAN-SIGNED-MATCH-WORN_W0QQitemZ280288768263QQcmdZViewItemQQssPageNa meZRSS:B:SRCH:GB:101

http://i21.ebayimg.com/06/i/001/1f/3a/956a_12.JPG

I've a scary feeling that you, Ciaran, will end up the highest bidder for those boxers and will tuck them away under your pillow so you can have a lovely sniff every night before drifting off to dream about the day you and Stevie will be together forever...

[The Fly]

Does anyone else think, that Ciaran is Stephen Ireland :D

[tricky_colour]

Does anyone else think, that Ciaran is Stephen Ireland :D


I have noticed a few time he has slipped and said 'I' instead of 'he' when referring to Stephen Ireland, I will post some links to the posts later.

[Naitch]

http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2008/1214/irelands.html

[irishultra]

lyk ZOMG

[elroy]

Nothing for definite yet but a positive development. IMO if he intends to make himself available in 2009 he needs to do it early in the year. Cant have him coming back into the squad say half way through the year if we're after getting good results in the games against Italy and Bulgaria etc.

[Claret Murph]

Will he won't he for the last year I have been nothing but confused :mad:

[musicinmouth]

That is a very positive development. He has been through a very rough time so I hope that things have improved for him and he is ready to re-join the team.

[kingdomkerry]

Team vs Georgia?

..............Given
Finnan Dunne O'Se Kilbane
.........Reid Gibson
......Ireland Duff
..........Keane
..........Doyle

Subs
McGeady
McShane
Whelan

[Razors left peg]

Ive been very critical of his decision not to play for us but I have to say Id be delighted if he was to return, we cant have enough quality players and he is one of the best players in the Premiership right now. Not sure where he would fit into Traps system at the moment but on form there is no way u could leave him out, he would have to be accomodated.Judging by that article its far from clear that he will return straight away but I really hope that if he does he will be welcomed back ,like Lee Carsley was after he stopped playing for us for a couple of years, and not booed by some fans

[Noelys Guitar]

Could be the differnce between us qualifying and not qualifying. We need a midfielder who can score goals and Ireland has proven he can do that. Plus he is as good a midfield player as anything the Italian's and Bulgarian's have.

[NeilMcD]

No De Rossi for Roma is a better player, a different player but a better one.

I also heard that his father denied that Stephen Ireland was every bullied by players in the squad. Its about time that this was cleared up and it should have been cleared up long ago by Stephen Ireland.

[tommy_c12000]

The only way I can see him fitting into Traps system is if he plays him wide on the right. Any time i've seen Ireland play there, he has looked isolated and very uncomfortable. The man is simply not a winger. McGeady is a better option on the right. Ireland is far more effective down the middle. However the only way I can see him playing centre midfield is if Trap goes for 1 up front and 5 in midfield.......or else in the extremely unlikely scenario Trap decides to throw caution to the wind at home against Georgia & plays him alongside Whelan/Gibson/Andrews/etc, leaving 2 up front. Great to see positive developments with regard to the possibility of an international return........but it's still early days

[third policeman]

The father is by all accounts a massive (not always constructive) influence on Ireland, so this is a very promising development. Hopefully Trapp will be flexible enough to re-think a less than resoundingly successful system to accomodate our most effective and creative midfielder.

[Maroon 7]

Chances of Trap changing his system are about zero I reckon. If Ireland comes back I can't see him playing anywhere other than right side of midfield which of course is not really his natural position.

Maybe if Trap plays one up front for the odd game Ireland would be used in the centre but apart from that.

[Wheels]

As I mentioned before, I think he just feels like he wouldn't be welcomed... more by the fans than the team. As evidence I'd point to him mentioning that he still gets hate mail from Ireland to the training ground.

I believe that if he felt the fans wanted him back that he might come back... January is a time for a fresh start.

But he needs to feel wanted. Maybe a campaign of come on back Christmas cards to the training ground would win him over? How pro-active are people feeling?

:) You're welcome :) (joke)

[back of the net]

its brilliant news - time for a fresh start , and for him and the irish fans to move on and forget about what happened in the past.

i hope he gets a great reception from the fans when he wears the green jersey again

[Manblue]

ha this is hilarious he hasnt really sed anything, only his dad sputing on, i wudnt believe it til i actually see him kick a ball in an irish Jersey again, cant see him back that soon at all

[Razors left peg]

Great news, Ireland is probably the best player the country has at the moment!

Still we need to be realistic, as already pointed out De Rossi is one of the best midfielders in the world, Aquilani is nearly as good and Pirlo probably IS the best midfielder in the world. Big boost against the Bulgarians but we're still heavily up against it to top this group.

no hes not. hes brilliant but not the best in the world

[Crosby87]

Hope it happens. His dad is 39 years old? What is the deal with that family?

[Wexford Delboy]

Team vs Georgia?

..............Given
Finnan Dunne O'Se Kilbane
.........Reid Gibson
......Ireland Duff
..........Keane
..........Doyle

Subs
McGeady
McShane
Whelan

Reid is not going to play in any trap system,he will put whelan behind two attacking players like duff and ireland

[elroy]

The only way I can see him fitting into Traps system is if he plays him wide on the right. Any time i've seen Ireland play there, he has looked isolated and very uncomfortable. The man is simply not a winger. McGeady is a better option on the right. Ireland is far more effective down the middle. However the only way I can see him playing centre midfield is if Trap goes for 1 up front and 5 in midfield.......or else in the extremely unlikely scenario Trap decides to throw caution to the wind at home against Georgia & plays him alongside Whelan/Gibson/Andrews/etc, leaving 2 up front. Great to see positive developments with regard to the possibility of an international return........but it's still early days

Totally agree with all of this, i think Irelands best role is the "Gerrard" role behind the strikers. If we had a strong Roy Keane type player, he and SI would be a top notch midfield, but i dont think playing Whelan and Ireland together would be strong enough. If Ireland comes back i wouldnt like to see him put straight into the starting XI.

[Manblue]

Why is that??? As punishment is it,,,,

If hes the best man for the job put him in...end off

[RivaldoBabb]

Yeh he is having a great season, yeh we need him as the rest of the midfielders are sub standard, do I feel like the Messiah is returning to save us take us all the way to South Africa? ... not really, I dont trust the fool.

Perhaps we should now abandon all thoughts of defensive football and play all our attacking players in the same side - mcgeady, A Reid, Ireland, Duff, Keane and Doyle!

Works for Brazil...probably not Traps style though.

[Hibernian]

Hope this story is true if it is it can only be a good thing for The national team. It is not as if we are blessed with quality players right now and we need as many top premership players as we can get.

Welcome back im sure if we has one our two decent matches and results go the right way for Republic then people wont be long forgetting what happened in first place

[Greenbod]

Can't understand all this speculation about where he'll fit into the team.......surely he'll be asked where he'd like to play and we should all be grateful whatever he decides!

[elroy]

Why is that??? As punishment is it,,,,

If hes the best man for the job put him in...end off

No, Because what sort of signal does it send to the rest of the team, when a player who didnt want to show for his national team for the last 12 months or so, suddenly is available again and is immediately in the starting XI.

No doubt it would be great to have him back but look how hard man city are trying to work out a formation that suits attacking players...the likes of SI. As mentioned above, I think he would fit best in our team playing behind the striker, im not sure we really have the quality around him to play him in a midfield 4. Watch him for Man City, he often plays ahead of the strikers, we could not have him playing such a role for Ireland.