Stephen Ireland

[shaneker]

It would be a total disgrace to accept him back. Lying to his team-mates, coaches and fans, constantly sniping about 'It's so great to not be there, I have so much time with my family now, blah blah blah' every time he gives an interview, admitting he rejected going to lots of underage squads as soon as he got his move to the UK - HE DOESN'T GIVE A F*** ABOUT IRELAND. He couldn't be used in our formation, he's a mentally unstable lunatic, and he would rather sit on his arse than play for his country. Give me Paul Green any day over him.

Although the whole Twitter thing is probably a windup anyway.

[gastric]

Houiller is prepared to be patient with him. It is amazing that two years ago, whatever our feelings about him, he was the best Irish midfielder in the Premiership. Now it seems his career is going nowhere. This is a story that will keep us intrigued for the next ten years I think!

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/gerard-houllier-will-be-patient-with-stephen-ireland-2144670.html

[Crosby87]

Good point from a few above Geysir.
Turning out to be all rubbish as always. But I do wonder what he heard and from who. Thats the problem with media these days. They make up so much S%#T I don't know when to think it might be based on something.

[AlaskaFox]

Good point from a few above Geysir.
Turning out to be all rubbish as always. But I do wonder what he heard and from who. Thats the problem with media these days. They make up so much S%#T I don't know when to think it might be based on something.

It's like when they brag about getting their tips on the horses right. You could've won €3,000 if you had have bet on X, Y, and Z - ignoring the other twelve horses that they also tipped and came nowhere. They have to be right some of the time.

[ifk101]

It was interesting that Houiller chose to start with a dwarf in midfield ahead of our Stephen but in fairness to Stephen he did relatively well for the 20 or so minutes he played against Arsenal. He'll probably start Villa's next game so that puts a possible Irish return on the back burner. Thankfully.

[The Fly]

http://www.herald.ie/sport/soccer/ireland-in-limbo-2449809.html

[Stuttgart88]

Fly, can you actually type text or do you only ever post links? :)

[SkStu]

he told me to tell you "only links"

[The Fly]

Fly, can you actually type text or do you only ever post links? :)

I'm on a retainer. ;)

[drummerboy]

Watching Ireland against Liverpool, and the chap just doesn't seem interested. Commentator even slagging his lack of effort.

[Charlie Darwin]

Watching Ireland against Liverpool, and the chap just doesn't seem interested. Commentator even slagging his lack of effort.
I didn't really understand that. He was isolated up front and the commentator was criticising him for not getting on the ball and harrying defenders. He drops back to midfield to finally put his foot on the ball and the commentator criticises him for not staying up front. I thought he did lack the spark of a couple of years ago - hanging back after passing the ball instead of busting a gut to get into a shooting position - but the whole team were so hopeless that you really couldn't single him out. At least he wasn't scared to have a go.

[BonnieShels]

I always thought I voted here but seems I didn't. Wonder how many Yes' have changed since it's start.

[elroy]

First of all, sorry for rehashing this thread, but looks like here we go again:

http://www.breakingnews.ie/sport/ireland-reported-to-be-mulling-republic-of-ireland-return-485755.html

God knows nothing else is going for him at the moment. Ignoring all the past, on current form alone I wouldnt pick him in the squad. He has been awful the last 12 months or so.

And a move to Liverpool if you believe this: http://www.joe.ie/football/football-news/stephen-ireland-considers-international-return-and-move-to-liverpool-007965-1

[Manblue]

First of all, sorry for rehashing this thread, but looks like here we go again:

http://www.breakingnews.ie/sport/ireland-reported-to-be-mulling-republic-of-ireland-return-485755.html

God knows nothing else is going for him at the moment. Ignoring all the past, on current form alone I wouldnt pick him in the squad. He has been awful the last 12 months or so.


Given the quote is supposedly taken from a twitter which stephen doesnt even have id take it with a grain of salt. Complete fabrication.

[Shannonsider]

Don't see what the big deal is. The only reason he is looking to get back in the Irish squad is because he isn't playing well at club level. I for one couldn't care less, don't think he would even get in the Irish squad at the moment let alone be in the starting XI!

[Kingdom]

There's a scene in the film SlapShot where Paul Newman publically puts a 100$ bounty on a players head. I'm close to considering the same thing here with Mr Ireland. I've no doubts the quotes are touched up a bit, but it's so boring at this stage.

He's a worse troll than SuperGretna at this stage.

Edit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vW67agGgWAM

[Crosby87]

After reading that I mean I have to hear it directly from him before I would get mad at him. In fairness he might not have said a word about it.

[Soccer Mom]

On Tribal Football

“I am seriously thinking of calling Trap (Giovanni Trapattoni) in the next few weeks and hopefully can work my way back into his plans,” Ireland said.
“If I can't get a move in January then I need to look at the summer and playing for Ireland will at least put me in the shop window.”

Self-serving or what ?

[youngirish]

On Tribal Football

“I am seriously thinking of calling Trap (Giovanni Trapattoni) in the next few weeks and hopefully can work my way back into his plans,” Ireland said.
“If I can't get a move in January then I need to look at the summer and playing for Ireland will at least put me in the shop window.”

Self-serving or what ?
He's just a self serving simpleton with a massively inflated ego. Someone surely needs to phone him from the FAI at this stage and tell him he will never play for Ireland again as they are going to write it into any future managers contracts that they aren't allowed to select Grade A arseholes for the national team.

[centre mid]

Slow day in the papers today.

[OwlsFan]

On Tribal Football

“I am seriously thinking of calling Trap (Giovanni Trapattoni) in the next few weeks and hopefully can work my way back into his plans,” Ireland said.
“If I can't get a move in January then I need to look at the summer and playing for Ireland will at least put me in the shop window.”

A wind up if I ever heard one!

[Scooby Doo]

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Stephen-Ireland-exclusive-I-will-NEVER-play-for-arrogant-Trapattoni-even-if-Ireland-make-the-2010-World-Cup-article182069.html

It was only last year that these comments were made, lest we forget. Some of the comments are despicable considering his current 'change of mind'. After re-reading this stuff I don't wish to ever see the oddball near our team. His commitment is to himself, not the national team. We're a stop-gap measure for him and the idea of whoring the Ireland shirt to him in his quest for a transfer makes my blood boil. He is undoubtedly a talent but must we sink so low in the search for options as to welcome back this lying, mean-spirited parasite back into the squad. Since he retired, he has seemingly endeavoured (why, I've no idea!) to upset the squad at every opportunity, making statements about how he doesn't miss international football, Trap's 'arrogance' etc etc and most of the time these brainfarts have been in the run-up to important qualifiers. He is probably a liability rather than an asset and to see Trap call him up considering all he's said and done, and in light of the situation with Andy Reid who has stated numerous times that he wants to play, it would be a disgrace should he pull on that green jersey next year.

[MeathDrog]

Trappatoni should give him two words. The second word is "off".

[Sullivinho]

The man is an irrelevance to Ireland. His form is as bad as his attitude.

[seanfhear]

Stephen Ireland should forget about Ireland.

And we should forget about Stephen Ireland.

If this is'nt a wind up and it may be. Stephen go and Fook yourself.

[tetsujin1979]

I used to think Ireland needed Ireland more than Ireland needed Ireland, but now I think it's the other way around

[rebelmusic]

I used to think Ireland needed Ireland more than Ireland needed Ireland, but now I think it's the other way around

Hahaha Legend

[geysir]

A wind up if I ever heard one!

http://www.cartoonstock.com/newscartoons/cartoonists/rma/lowres/rman10777l.jpg

[gastric]

I used to think Ireland needed Ireland more than Ireland needed Ireland, but now I think it's the other way around
Brilliant Tets. The fact that essentially it shouldn't make sense yet we all know what you mean is fantastic.

On Ireland himself his honesty and stupidity, both at the same time continue to amaze me. On one hand, I hate the dickh##d, yet at least his motivations are known to all. The perverse in me also thinks he has something to offer us, however, the question is do we really want this fruitcake near the squad.

[gastric]

The Human Headline continues to keep journalists in a job.

http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/ireland-for-celtic-2464749.html

[tricky_colour]

Stephen Ireland is set to leave Villa in January after manager Gerard Houllier confirmed the midfielder wants to quit the club.

The 24-year-old joined Villa in August as part of the £24m transfer of James Milner to Manchester City.

But Ireland has not settled in the West Midlands and told Houllier at showdown talks this week that he wants to leave – just four months into a four-year contract.

Celtic are hoping to take Ireland on loan, although potential suitors for a permanent deal may be put off by Villa’s £8m asking price for the playmaker.

“Stephen has told his agent that he wants to go in January,” said Houllier.

“I’m not convinced about that. But once a player says he wants to go, he can go.

“There’s a discrepancy between what I see in training and what I see in the game.

“I told his agent that’s the only problem, he’s got to sort that out.

“I like the man, I like the player. He’s got some skills, he’s got an eye f*or a pass but he’s got to adapt to modern football as well.

“I am quite patient but it has been a huge shock for him coming from Manchester City.”

Houllier also refuted reports of a training ground bust-up with Richard Dunne, but admitted some of his players had been “whining, moaning and complaining” over some of the changes he has made since taking over the job.

“I took a football decision not to play him (Dunne),” said Houllier.

http://www.expressandstar.com/sport/aston-villa-fc/2010/12/18/stephen-ireland-to-leave-aston-villa/

[Crosby87]

Tanks for posting that Tricks...

Whew. You know what I thought after reading that if I'm being honest?
He is only 24.
Crazy no doubt. Is it me or does it seem like he has been around longer than George Best's liver?

Also I was thinking the bust up was with R Dunne and SI which I am glad it is not...

But lads he is only 24. That means he acted nuts at like age 20. Surely those of us at my age ripe old of 33 can remember making mistakes. Lord knows, I am perfect. Yeah right. And surely those older can as well. (I hope.)
Surely, somehow he can have fun and play for his namesake, moving forward.

He is 24 and has more kids than Mike Tyson. I'm not being funny there.
He will mature soon and I think he could help us. But Celtic? What?!!!

Most people on here are tired of talking about this. So anyone who is going to give the stick "I hate SI. Dont bring him back." All due respect but keep it. He may be a jerk just as soon as I know how you feel.
Lets bring him back, it would take a modest internet campaign no?
I would be willing to front $$$.
PM me if you think a specific web site could help bring hm back into the fold.

[Colbert Report]

Yeah, Ireland was just a kid when he was acting like a twit so we should give him another chance if he's willing to come back. Great player on his day. He's off to West Ham last I heard.

[Uncle_Joe]

IMO being young isnt an excuse for stupidity. Ireland has consistently shown his character by his actions and comments.

[Stuttgart88]

I don't like him much and his track record of antipathy towards playing for Ireland preceded his wealth, but being a multi-millionaire spoilt brat isolated from reality at 20 isn't exactly a character forming situation.

Simon Barnes, referring to Tevez and others, wrote a great article in yesterday's (London) Times on footballers all being tossers and their wealth just drawing out the tosser in them.

[ifk101]

The top professionals in the game are businesses in their own right. A player like Tevez is a strong brand name offering services that clubs want to buy into. A (successful) business is self-serving. The self-serving business that is Tevez will make him a tosser in the eyes of outside observers. So is Tevez's wealth drawing out the tosser in him? - of course it is, it's a natural progression in the sucess of his business as it is interlinked with him as a person. He needs now to employ a PR department a la David Beckham, that's if he cares about how the outside world perceives him.

With regards to Stephen Ireland, the chap has a personality disorder. You can look at the fall out he had with Kerr in his teens and you can draw parallels to that in his later years. Wealth hasn't changed Stephen Ireland. He has always valued himself highly. The problem is he has always valued himself highest of all so when things aren't going his way, his inherent personality disorder reveals itself.

[irishfan86]

Anybody looking for anything positive in a pro athlete beyond his/her skill is bound to be disappointed. If a footballer does a minor good deed he's looked on as a hero...Simon Barnes is stating the obvious though really, I think the only people who idolize footballers as human beings are those who haven't hit puberty.

[theworm2345]

Anybody looking for anything positive in a pro athlete beyond his/her skill is bound to be disappointed. If a footballer does a minor good deed he's looked on as a hero...Simon Barnes is stating the obvious though really, I think the only people who idolize footballers as human beings are those who haven't hit puberty.
I disagree
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b3/Kevin_Kilbane.jpg

[Fixer82]

I don't like him much and his track record of antipathy towards playing for Ireland preceded his wealth, but being a multi-millionaire spoilt brat isolated from reality at 20 isn't exactly a character forming situation.
.

Didn't turn Robbie Keane into an a**hole who doesn't care about his country and would only use an Ireland shirt to get a better club

[ChrisRed]

Anybody looking for anything positive in a pro athlete beyond his/her skill is bound to be disappointed. If a footballer does a minor good deed he's looked on as a hero...Simon Barnes is stating the obvious though really, I think the only people who idolize footballers as human beings are those who haven't hit puberty.

Kevin Kilbane and Lee Carsley both do a great deal of untold work and support charities that deal with down syndrome.

[irishfan86]

Kevin Kilbane and Lee Carsley both do a great deal of untold work and support charities that deal with down syndrome.

I'm not saying footballers are useless people, I'm saying that they should generally be judged exclusively as a footballer. The media tends to hype these guys up or try and bring them to the level of some demon.

The likes of John Terry getting dad of the year for example is a total joke...dad of the year should go to some random single father who lost his wife to some disease and still maintains a positive attitude, not some ass who just happens to be good at stopping people from scoring.

[BonnieShels]

dad of the year should go to some random single father who lost his wife to some disease and still maintains a positive attitude, not some ass who just happens to be good at stopping people from scoring.

He's brutal at that judging from his antics in the papers earlier in the year.

[Plastic Paddy]

The likes of John Terry getting dad of the year for example is a total joke...dad of the year should go to some random single father who lost his wife to some disease and still maintains a positive attitude, not some ass who just happens to be good at stopping people from scoring.

We're not talking Nobel prize-equivalent here. The "Dad of the Year" award is a marketing ploy to push more product. It is sponsored by "Daddies" brown sauce. Given the amount of brown sauce that Terry landed himself in this year I'd say he was an apt recipient of the award.

:ball: PP

[Murfinator]

Kevin Kilbane and Lee Carsley both do a great deal of untold work and support charities that deal with down syndrome.

http://www.stephenireland.com/charity/

You can be a plank and give to charity as evidenced here.




Stephen is committed to his charity work, working closely with the Francis House Children's Hospice. This website is one of Stephen's means to raise money. Please visit the shop (http://www.stephenireland.com/charity/#) or donate (http://www.stephenireland.com/charity/#) pages in order to contribute. Francis House (http://www.stephenireland.com/charity/#) offers the families of very sick children a respite from their role as carers and gives the children a loving home from home. The philosophy of Francis House and Rainbow Family Trust flows from the belief in the sanctity of life, and the dignity of the person. Skilled nursing care for children in a homely, happy and secure place. An essential break for parents and for the rest of the family Friendship, encouragement and relief enabling the whole family to return home refreshed

A flexible service to meet the needs of the family, including home support and bereavement care. A lifeline by just being available day or night Visit Francis House to see more about their great work.



Though I'd agree in not paying much heed what they do off the pitch, I couldn't care less if you buy strange cars, write crap in newspapers or give to charity in your spare time, what you do on the pitch is what matters and what should define you as a player.

[peadar1987]

Surely in the grand scheme of things, giving to charity in your spare time is much more important than kicking a piece of leather around for 90 minutes, as entertaining as that may be.

[Murfinator]

If your going to appreciate someone for charitable reasons theres far more worthy people out there than those who spend a couple of hours in the year to a charitable cause. I'm not criticising soccer players for doing it, I'm saying I don't care. I will like or dislike a player because of what they do on the pitch

[SkStu]

some of the biggest philanthropists in the world are also some of the biggest plonkers in the world. Just because someone supports a charity doesnt make them a good person.

[bennocelt]

Since we are on the topic of charity and footballers seen this today, fair dues to bellamy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bclwpSTLoAQ

[theworm2345]

Since we are on the topic of charity and footballers seen this today, fair dues to bellamy

some of the biggest philanthropists in the world are also some of the biggest plonkers in the world. Just because someone supports a charity doesnt make them a good person.

http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2011/0112/bellamyc.html

[Yard of Pace]

There's a great line in Tom Humphries' Laptop Dancing book about footballers being obsessed with doing things for charity and thinking it excuses all other behaviour, something like "Generally footballers believe that if Hitler had annexed Poland for charity, it would have been fine". I think it was about the 2002 team donating their media-donated players pool fund to charity but still being ******es in relation to media duties or something.