Stephen Ireland

[elroy]

Its surely time for the annual interview with Jessica on the Saturday night show, where she goes on about how Stephen would love to put the past behind him and wants to play for Ireland. All he wants is a call from Trap.

[Colbert Report]

Does anyone know what his current contract situation is? He hasn't played in the Premiership since December 29.

[IsMiseSean]

Talk about a waste of a career.... Interesting to see what happens in the Summer, MLS?

[peadar1987]

Does anybody else reckon this guy is based on Stephen Ireland? .....

http://i1.cdnds.net/13/01/618x401/soaps-fair-city-170113-1.jpghttp://i1.cdnds.net/13/01/618x400/soaps-fair-city-080113-3.jpg

This may not have been worth bumping the thread up five pages :o

Just realised I went to school with this lad. He played centre forward for our team, and I was left back. He's a Nottingham Forest fan, in case anyone was wondering, dates back to the days of Pierre van Hooijdonk. Supposedly a fairly decent actor nowadays, although I haven't seen much of his stuff

[Crosby87]

Oddly the actors name is Henry Scotland.

[Sullivinho]

Oddly the actors name is Henry Scotland.

It occurred to me that he's very unlikely ever to play for them in the future and I got chills.

[peadar1987]

Oddly the actors name is Henry Scotland.

This made me chuckle (but in case it wasn't a joke, it's actually Chris Aylmer: http://www.chrisaylmer.co.uk/ )

[Crosby87]

Im going to get Chris Aylmer's autograph and ask him about the two of you being buddies and he is going to give me a blank stare.

[BonnieShels]

Im going to get Chris Aylmer's autograph and ask him about the two of you being buddies and he is going to give me a blank stare.

Well as a heads up, "1987" isn't his real surname.

[peadar1987]

Im going to get Chris Aylmer's autograph and ask him about the two of you being buddies and he is going to give me a blank stare.

His blank stare is one of the strongest aspects of his repertoire

[Carrigaline]

Any word on where Stephen Ireland will end up?

[SkStu]

Any word on where Stephen Ireland will end up?

on some "Whatever happened to? Where are they now?" program.

[Sullivinho]

Any word on where Stephen Ireland will end up?

Stovokor.

[BonnieShels]

Stovokor.


A warrior? Hardly.

Based on the previous posts on this thread I would reckon it'll be Carrigstown United.

[gastric]

It looks like he will be leaving, I think going to Spain or Italy might suit his game if someone is willing to take a gamble on him. IMO, he has the ability to be a good footballer.

http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/premier-league/villa-outcast-ireland-faces-the-exit-door-as-lambert-adds-to-squad-29343855.html

[ArdeeBhoy]

Don't you mean, 'had' the ability? Looks miserable in that photo btw.

[gastric]

Don't you mean, 'had' the ability? Looks miserable in that photo btw.

Not giving completely up on him yet!

[Crosby87]

Supposedly his father is saying he wants Trap to give him a call before he heads to MLS.

[tetsujin1979]

Supposedly his father is saying he wants Trap to give him a call before he heads to MLS.Off topic, but Stephen was raised by his mother, and his mother's family. He was very much estranged from his father

[paul_oshea]

So it was obviously his maternal grandmother that died.

[Junior]

So it was obviously his maternal grandmother that died.

No. Neither Granny died, he was telling porkies. Do keep up Paul.

[paul_oshea]

I know. It was a joke.

[drummerboy]

The proverbial pidgeons have come home to roost. Totally overrated footballer.

[mark12345]

The proverbial pidgeons have come home to roost. Totally overrated footballer.

Couldn't disagree more. He is one of the most talented footballers we have. In terms of ability he should be put down on the team sheet by Trap (if this was a perfect world) as number one or number two choice midfielder - Wes Hoolahan being the other. He has plenty left to offer and like the other lad said, a move abroad would certainly benefit his game. He wouldn't be out of place in the Bundesliga or La Liga

[drummerboy]

He is a luxury player. Has had one good season in about five. He can't defend for his life. I'll never forget his performance away in Cyprus as one of our midfielders. Shocking. The only reason he would want to play for Ireland is to get himself in the shop window. Best let him be.

[Charlie Darwin]

He is a luxury player. Has had one good season in about five. He can't defend for his life. I'll never forget his performance away in Cyprus as one of our midfielders. Shocking. The only reason he would want to play for Ireland is to get himself in the shop window. Best let him be.
Ah here, he was 19. And the whole team was a disaster that day and the coach even worse. And he still scored a goal. He's gone off the rails since then but he was a hugely talented player. If it was James McCarthy or Wes Hoolahan at that age and level of inexperience everybody would be talking about how it's unfair to judge such a young player.

[CraftyToePoke]

The proverbial pidgeons have come home to roost. Totally overrated footballer.

He has certainly made a pigs ear of matters on many fronts but I don't think he was overrated, in fact I think all the coverage he still gets is because of the depth of talent he displayed, he could have been very very special. A man a team could have been built around at a very high level was what he was looking like for a spell. That's the most frustrating bit of this downward spiral he remains on.

[mark12345]

He is a luxury player. Has had one good season in about five. He can't defend for his life. I'll never forget his performance away in Cyprus as one of our midfielders. Shocking. The only reason he would want to play for Ireland is to get himself in the shop window. Best let him be.

I remember him too in Cyprus. Wasn't good. But who was? It's time to let bygones be bygones, same with Anthony Stokes and hopefully Gibson is not in the same category but him too if need be. If either of them can come in and do a job for us then good luck to them. Anything to make the squad better ......right?

We cannot afford not to turn over every stone in search of the best 11 to put on the pitch.

If Ireland comes in and doesn't cut it, then so be it. But at least give him one last look. I think he could hold the ball in the middle of the park (maybe not as good as Whelan ...ha ha) and spring out attackers, which is something we just cannot do right now (remember how many long balls we play in every game).

[drummerboy]

Sorry he has been too disrespectful to the Irish set up over the years. Yes he did show promise 5 years ago. But then again, he would never have fitted into Traps plans anyway. I would welcome Gibson back. I don't agree with his actions, but he was badly treated. As for Stokes, another player who we can do without.

[OwlsFan]

[QUOTE=drummerboy;1693101I would welcome Gibson back. I don't agree with his actions, but he was badly treated..[/QUOTE]

"Badly treated" ? I didn't realise a manager was obliged to play players failing which they are "badly treated". It makes managing a squad almost impossible if players spit the dummy because they don't get a run out. I am surprised we have any goalkeeper left in the squad after Given's 100+ caps.

[gastric]

It seems that there may be some Premier interest in Ireland. A move to Stoke might be good as he played his best football under Hughes. Also, Dunne and Given to Doncaster who may be getting rich Irish buyers! Magnier might be the man. Maybe he will try and employ Ferguson!

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/stoke-transfer-news-stephen-ireland-1982068

[tetsujin1979]

no shock there, Hughes has a long history of working with the same players over and over
Ireland was briefly linked with QPR as well

[Colbert Report]

Say what you like about the guy, he was unbelievable that one year for Manchester City, I think it was 2008/09. I hope he can rediscover the form he had then as he was definitely one of the top five or ten players in the EPL that season.

[Charlie Darwin]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqT6EhUEDco

[Olé Olé]

I presume Shay Given wasn't getting a lift of our Stephen so most likely it was Barry Bannan and Alan Hutton in that car, surely? At this stage, a move abroad is surely the best move for him. I doubt he'd have the hunger for the physicality of the Championship.

[gastric]

Being linked with Doncaster. Don't know how his ego will cope with that, however, it might teach him some humility. Woiuld agree with Ole, a move abroad would suit his style and is a more likely destination.

http://www.irishmirror.ie/sport/soccer/transfer-news/aston-villa-transfer-news-stephen-2086714

[Charlie Darwin]

Saw that mooted when the Given to Doncaster story came out. I can't see how Doncaster would be able to afford both of them unless they were given very generous terms by Villa, but to be honest it seems like Ireland just wants to play football.

[gastric]

Saw that mooted when the Given to Doncaster story came out. I can't see how Doncaster would be able to afford both of them unless they were given very generous terms by Villa, but to be honest it seems like Ireland just wants to play football.

I just read Dickov has been given 'a cash injection'!

[Charlie Darwin]

It won't do much good intravenously. It might even be fatal. They'd be much better served investing it in the transfer budget

[as_i_say]

Anyone hear any updates on him? I read he was training with reserves still until the start of the season and has been given squad number 40. I presume he hasn't made any Villa senior squads so far this season.

[IsMiseSean]

No he hasn't made any Villa squads. Interesting to see if he gets a look in tonight in the League cup but I doubt it.
Doesn't look like anyone is willing to take the massive gamble of signing him.

[tricky_colour]

He signed a 4 year deal in 2010 according to wikipedia, which means he has a year left on his contract.
I expect he is happy to draw his salary until the contract lapses.

[dr_peepee]

Stoke have made a bid for a season long loan, according to the blog on F365

[DannyInvincible]

Stoke have made a bid for a season long loan, according to the blog on F365

Deal confirmed.

[tetsujin1979]

loan move completed: http://www.stokecityfc.com/news/article/stephen-checks-in-1031730.aspx
Stoke could field a midfield of Wilson, Ireland, Walters and Whelan

[Charlie Darwin]

I imagine this will squeeze Whelan to the fringes. A midfield of Wilson, Nzonzi and Ireland could be absolute magic.

[IsMiseSean]

I hope he gets his career back on track.

[Grafter]

In spite of everything, our Stephen still wants an Irish manager to make the call.... couldn't even say he was available again for international duty, no our Stephen wants a new manager to sit down and convince him to return:mad:

http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/ireland-considers-republic-return-29580667.html

[youngirish]

In spite of everything, our Stephen still wants an Irish manager to make the call.... couldn't even say he was available again for international duty, no our Stephen wants a new manager to sit down and convince him to return:mad:

http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/ireland-considers-republic-return-29580667.html
Thanks but no thanks. I wouldn't have even wanted him back when he looked a player at City a few years ago. Even though he's been absolute gash for about 5 seasons now he still comes across like he believes he has the talent of Lionel Messi. At this stage of his career he should be begging for the Irish manager to ask him back. What ideas does he have anyway? Suggesting to O'Neill he should get a set of pink rims for his Land Rover? Let's bring some new players through, he will never be a solution to our midfield problems anyway. A luxury player if ever there was one he can't tackle to save his life. Outside of playing against the Faroe Islands or San Marino Ireland will always struggle to accommodate a player such as him who won't work when we don't have the ball.

O'Neill signed him at Villa, however, so you never know.

[gastric]

And O'Neill's first question might be, 'and how are the grandmothers these days Stephen?'