Stephen Ireland Makes Himself Available Again

[youngirish]

I don't know how anyone on here could want this idiot back. He's not even that good ffs. Surey it's this sort of 'can't be bothered for my country' attitude that Trapatonni should be trying to get out of the squad after Kerr and Stan and not reintroduce into it. I dread to think the effect his inclusion would have on the morale of the team.


Eriksson admits Ireland uncertainty


March 9, 2008

Manchester City manager Sven Goran Eriksson admits he is not certain whether Stephen Ireland wants to play for the Republic of Ireland in the future.

Ireland has been in exile since withdrawing from Steve Staunton’s squad twice in September and October.

Caretaker boss Don Givens refused to recall the Cork man for the final Euro 2008 qualifier against Wales in November or last month’s friendly against Brazil, indicating that he needed to make the initial contact before resuming his international career.

New Irish manager Giovanni Trapattoni, who formally takes over on May 1st, is expected to scheduled a meeting with Ireland at the earliest opportunity – but Eriksson is far from certain that Ireland wants to return to the fold.

He told the Irish Sunday Mirror: “I do not know if Stephen will play for Ireland again. I’m on the side of Trapattoni, but you can’t force a player to do something that they don’t want to.

“I am expecting to see Trapattoni at [City’s training ground in] Carrington soon to speak with Stephen. I know he is keen to get Stephen back into the Ireland set-up.”

[mypost]

I don't know how anyone on here could want this idiot back. He's not even that good ffs. Surey it's this sort of 'can't be bothered for my country' attitude that Trapatonni should be trying to get out of the squad after Kerr and Stan and not reintroduce it into it. I dread to think the effect his inclusion would have on the morale of the team.

Eriksson admits Ireland uncertainty


Manchester City manager Sven Goran Eriksson admits he is not certain whether Stephen Ireland wants to play for the Republic of Ireland in the future. “I do not know if Stephen will play for Ireland again. I’m on the side of Trapattoni, but you can’t force a player to do something that they don’t want to.

What part of "that traitor doesn't want to play for Ireland again", do people not understand?? :confused:

[youngirish]

What part of "that traitor doesn't want to play for Ireland again", do people not understand?? :confused:

Harsh words but I wouldn't be that hateful towards him. I would be more of the ilk that playing for your country should be an honour and this show of contempt for such a privilege should be the final nail in his coffin of his international career. He made his bed so he can now lie in it for the forseeable future while he's playing for Man City reserves.

I am more of the opinion that if he's being judged on his talent alone his inclusion would not be that much of an asset to our team. I am more worried, however, that his temperament would definietly be a big liability and a source of considerable disruption. His column inches to talent ratio is worringly high tbh.

[Stuttgart88]

I thought the article that Tets posted about Tardelli and Brady going to check out Ireland was infuriating, or certainly the headline was. There were potentially 5 Irish on show so it was an obvious game to take in. Instead Ireland grabs the headlines, just like his fellow Corkman always seems to do even when he's not necessarily the story.

[Shedender81]

Its simple ... Is Ireland good enough to make a difference to our chances... Answer Yes.... and when he is not dump him !

[Razors left peg]

All this talk about him good or bad is pointless until we know if he is gonna refuse a call up to the squad. If he gets called up and comes into the squad well and good, let everyone start with a clean slate. But if he refuses the call up, then he will deserve to be called whatever and hopefully he will be forgotten about then. Rumours about whether he will or wont go back at this point are waste of time until we hear from him or Trapattoni directly.