Stephen Ireland

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/english-soccer/stephen-s-stoke-deal-paves-way-for-ireland-comeback-1.1762759

New contract paves the way for Ireland come back.

[back of the net]

http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/english-soccer/stephen-s-stoke-deal-paves-way-for-ireland-comeback-1.1762759

New contract paves the way for Ireland come back.
TOWK....he has has the way paved for him numerous times for an Ireland return , unfortunately for whatever god unknown reason (s) he seems to get some kick out of getting that paved way and destroying it with a wrecking ball

[IsMiseSean]

If he doesn't show up (providing he's called up) for the summer friendlies then his passport should be revoked.

[Stuttgart88]

I think TOWK's post was fair. Ireland said he needed to get his club career sorted before making any commitment. As far as I can recall he as good as linked the two events. His career is now definitively sorted so now he has the chance to return. If he doesn't take it the door is closed, forever.

[tricky_colour]

Yawn .... He needs to have a conversation with a psychiatrist. Talk about delusions of grandeur.

I think the only conversation that needs to be is fpr Martin and Roy to tell him to eff off.
I am sick to the back teeth of the ******** he comes out with.
I mean it's not as if he is any good anyway.

[back of the net]

I think TOWK's post was fair. Ireland said he needed to get his club career sorted before making any commitment. As far as I can recall he as good as linked the two events. His career is now definitively sorted so now he has the chance to return. If he doesn't take it the door is closed, forever.

dont think anyone is in disagreement with TOWK's post - its more a case of preparing yourself for the possible/probable nonsense Ireland will come out with to aid reasoning for not returning despite getting his club career sorted

[back of the net]

I think the only conversation that needs to be is fpr Martin and Roy to tell him to eff off.
I am sick to the back teeth of the ******** he comes out with.
I mean it's not as if he is any good anyway.

I agree with your first 2 sentences but despite his obvious delusions in his head - he has tremendous talent

[tricky_colour]

I agree with your first 2 sentences but despite his obvious delusions in his head - he has tremendous talent


Well perhaps more of a case of had tremendous talent. However I have been looking at his stats
and currently it about the 250th best player in the Premiership.
However having said that he has stepped up his game in the last the games. His last 3 games
would put him comfortably in the top 50.
However those were leading up to getting a new contract, you I will not be surprised if he
drops back again.
Problem is he is just not interested, it's like he would be doing us a big favour and we have
other far more committed options. We don't need this will he wont he business, except
perhaps on a slow news day.

Having said that he seems to have an extraordinary ability to **** people off, including
his own family!!

Dunno how it will all end up, perhaps shooting Martin O Neil in error through a toilet door.

[DannyInvincible]

Having said that he seems to have an extraordinary ability to **** people off, including
his own family!!

His mention does provoke a tremendous deal of vitriol, often accompanied by the suggestion that he is "mental", "has issues" or should see a psychiatrist. Out of interest, would it elicit greater sensitivity towards him if he was actually diagnosed with a recognised mental illness?

And did his family actually say they were ****ed off by him? Where did you hear that?

[Crosby87]

New contract paves way for Ireland to rejoin mighty Republic, surmises the Times:
http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/english-soccer/stephen-s-stoke-deal-paves-way-for-ireland-comeback-1.1762759

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Bit slow on the uptake, Crosby?

[Charlie Darwin]

New contract paves way for Ireland to rejoin mighty Republic, surmises the Times:
http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/english-soccer/stephen-s-stoke-deal-paves-way-for-ireland-comeback-1.1762759
Not sure they're right about his transfer being made permanent in the winter. Stoke publicised it as such, but given that he was left out against Villa, it seems they actually just extended his loan until the end of the season (and his contract).

[tricky_colour]

His mention does provoke a tremendous deal of vitriol, often accompanied by the suggestion that he is "mental", "has issues" or should see a psychiatrist. Out of interest, would it elicit greater sensitivity towards him if he was actually diagnosed with a recognised mental illness?

And did his family actually say they were ****ed off by him? Where did you hear that?


Well they didn't say that directly but the seem to want him to play and him not playing is means
he is going against what they would prefer.

It does not bother me so much these days because II don't see him as making too much of a difference to the team.
What does both me is the issue being constantly brought up. I don't really want to read about player who don't
want to play.

[BonnieShels]

I think the only conversation that needs to be is fpr Martin and Roy to tell him to eff off.
I am sick to the back teeth of the ******** he comes out with.
I mean it's not as if he is any good anyway.

That's my gut test. Lesser known than Stutts' one.

But if you ****-off Tricky then it's time to forget about your Ireland career.

[DannyInvincible]

Well they didn't say that directly but the seem to want him to play and him not playing is means
he is going against what they would prefer.

And so this means they must be ****ed off with him? That's a bit of a leap. My mother would have preferred I joined the college choir when I was a wee bairn, but she wasn't ****ed off with me when I didn't.

[Charlie Darwin]

And so this means they must be ****ed off with him? That's a bit of a leap. My mother would have preferred I joined the college choir when I was a wee bairn, but she wasn't ****ed off with me when I didn't.
She told me she was.

[Crosby87]

Sorry Danny but she confided that in me too!

[tricky_colour]

Yes Danny the truth is she was very upset indeed.

[DannyInvincible]

Your jokes suck quite a lot, but probably not as much as your mothers...

(Look what you've reduced me to!) :(

[Crosby87]

This reminds me of that part of Angela's ashes where the mother has no teeth and the plumber...ugh.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

.....

[DannyInvincible]

'Hughes hoping Ireland can improve after signing new Stoke deal': http://www.goal.com/en-ie/news/3942/ireland/2014/04/19/4762101/hughes-hoping-ireland-can-improve-after-signing-new-stoke


...

"I have always felt that Stephen needs stability in his life and he is going to get that here now," Hughes said. "He has a good structure around him and he has good people working with him on a daily basis."

Ireland has played 21 times for Stoke this season, scoring two goals, and Hughes believes that the midfielder can improve on that showing in the next few seasons.

"There is no doubt that he is a real outstanding talent, and there is no reason why he can’t enjoy the best years of his career here with us," Hughes admitted. "I am delighted to have been able to tie him down to a long-term deal."

[geysir]

"I have always felt that Stephen needs stability in his life and he is going to get that here now,"

He's been married for a while, has a few kids, a (probably fake tudor) mansion, has had a job which pays a few million, likes a range rover/maserati/porche. Probably with a bit of prudence could live well for the rest of his life.
Yet the poor lad needs stability in his life, needs the security of knowing he has 5 or so million coming into to his bank account over the next 3 years in order to function day to day.

[paul_oshea]

You're talking about financial stability there.

[Crosby87]

Dont forget his pink Boa.

[tricky_colour]

I hope things go well for him he seems to be his own worst enemy.

[SkStu]

watching Cardiff v Stoke and it's undeniable that he has that touch of class and vision that we could do with more of. Played a lovely through ball to Arnautovic for example.

[geysir]

You're talking about financial stability there.
Not just financial, you might of played down the importance of the bit about family/family home/relationship/children, which implies a recognition of some existing level of mental/emotional stability. Perhaps one day Paul, you will say goodbye to your feckless ways, embrace commitment and experience such mental and emotional stability:)

[Crosby87]

POSH was born a rebel and he will stay one thank you very much.

[tricky_colour]

watching Cardiff v Stoke and it's undeniable that he has that touch of class and vision that we could do with more of. Played a lovely through ball to Arnautovic for example.

Yea, just seen that, that was class.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/21901/9282857/the-fantasy-football-club-stephen-ireland-picks-his-one2eleven

Stephen Ireland picks the best 11 players he has played with. Two Irish players are included; you can probably guess who.

[Crosby87]

Joe Lapira and Alan Bennett?

[ArdeeBhoy]

'Cockend' alert;Part 47
http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/international/martin-o-neill-gets-the-stephen-ireland-treatment-1.1802570

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Looks like I owe Trapattoni an apology over his meeting with Stephen Ireland. His behaviour is almost sociopathic.

[francie]

I hope he is never entertained by the national set up again a pri*k and a half.

[Razors left peg]

Never heard such sh1te in my life

[ifk101]

No doubt there'll be a newspaper article soon enough about how our Stephen wants to have a chat and how the latest episode was just a simple misunderstanding. No doubt there'll be more articles next season about an imminent return when our Stephen scores a goal for Stoke in high definition on our widescreen TVs. Stephen wouldn't rule himself out, ("there is only one thing in life worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about"), and this will go on and on as long as he is a Premier League/ professional footballer. But you won't see our Stephen in an Irish jersey again - he isn't the player he thinks he is and no manager will bend over for a return on his "special needs" terms.

[gastric]

O'Neill not closing the door on an Ireland return. Personally I would love to see Roy ram his head into a door.

http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/oneill-door-still-open-after-ireland-blanked-my-calls-but-i-wont-go-begging-30291257.html

[nigel-harps1954]

There's better options anyway. Who would you drop out of Darren Gibson or James McCarthy from central midfield for a nutjob who thinks he's Andres Iniesta?

[DannyInvincible]

And so the ball is back in Stephen Ireland's court, the way it's most often been for the past number of years. Hopefully, he will take O'Neill's words on board and realise it really is now up to him to make the call if he wants some movement on any quickly-evaporating hope he has of a return.


Stephen wouldn't rule himself out, ("there is only one thing in life worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about"), and this will go on and on as long as he is a Premier League/ professional footballer.

I think you've hit the nail on the head. He's clearly a long-suffering narcissist. In spite of his courting of the media and dropping of hints, it's unfortunate he's unable to ever feel settled enough to even contemplate or discuss a possible return. Ah well, Stephen's loss...


O'Neill not closing the door on an Ireland return. Personally I would love to see Roy ram his head into a door.

http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/oneill-door-still-open-after-ireland-blanked-my-calls-but-i-wont-go-begging-30291257.html

I think Doyle is a bit over-the-top there, almost making out that Ireland has the mind of a serial killer, whilst also omitting a fairly vital item of information as to why he left the squad in the first place; that being his girlfriend's miscarriage. I have to assume on good faith that Ireland was finally telling the truth on that occasion.


However, with Ireland, nothing is simple and has not been since the night in 2007 when he told his team-mates he had to travel home and miss an important European championship qualifier against the Czech Republic because he was grieving for his grandmother, who he claimed had passed away that day.

When it emerged that Patricia Tallon was actually still alive, Ireland altered his story and 'killed off' another grandmother, Barbara Kitchener. Alas, she too survived her grandson's attempted cull.

Embarrassed by the nature of his lies, Ireland subsequently retired from international football. And ever since he has been playing a game of chase, suggesting he would like to return if asked. In response, four different Irish managers – Steve Staunton, Giovanni Trapattoni, Noel King and now O'Neill – have made him aware of their interest. And still he has not said yes.

He retired out of shame? He has been dropping empty hints, which is childish and narcissistic, but he's under no duty to say "yes". There's really no need for Doyle to try and make Ireland look worse than he already does.

[Stuttgart88]

Someone should spell out to Ireland the sheer disrespect he is showing to the players and others in Irish football by his actions / inactions.

[ifk101]

He could the answer the phone if nothing else. But even that simpliest show of common courtesy is beyond our Stephen.

[geysir]

That brings a 6 year saga to an end since Givens told the world that if SI wants to come back, he just has to pick up the f**kin phone and ask. Most supported Given's gruff attitude then.

The part that really grates was SI insinuating others were at fault, he wanted to be picked against Brazil but Givens gave him the cold shoulder, implying players bullied him, implied Trap was rude and disrespectful. I suppose some fell for that sop and so the story could slither on for years.

Though i'd be hard pressed, if Paul Rowan and Stephen Ireland were brought out together to the face the baying crowd, which one would I vote for to get released?

[swinfordfc]

I hope i have to never hear about this p**** again - such a gob ****e!

[samhaydenjr]

Should we consider closing this thread? Seems pretty pointless now.

[DannyInvincible]

Why would the thread be closed? Lots of former internationals still have threads to post in if people wish to discuss them for whatever reason.

[Crosby87]

Yes ger crossley still has a thread. My favorite intl ever. If we had 11 Gers we would have at least two world cup cups.

[gastric]

Amusing article. Hard to believe Fanning could get Patrick Kavanagh into a piece about this idiot, but he did.

http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/dion-fanning-toure-conundrum-cant-hold-candle-to-the-ireland-question-30302041.html

[seanfhear]

Amusing article. Hard to believe Fanning could get Patrick Kavanagh into a piece about this idiot, but he did.

http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/dion-fanning-toure-conundrum-cant-hold-candle-to-the-ireland-question-30302041.html
A team of Peripatetic (from article above ) Irishmen wouldn't have Stephen Ireland in their team because he would be too high maintenance and an effing nuisance.

Stephen ! Go and lose yourself and don't be in any hurry to find yourself either.

[youngirish]

He's sh*te anyway. He has 1 good game out of every 5. If we want to pull ourselves out of the long suffering slump we've been in since the end of the McCarthy era we need better players than him in the centre of the park.

Hopefully either Murray or Hendrick turn out to be world beaters and everyone can finally forget this stain on the underpants of humanity ever existed. I know I almost have but not quite - yet.