Maybe he doesn’t want to play for us. After Rice and Grealish maybe we need to have a bit more self respect. Those two played the system and when England came calling were orf. The Irish National Team has to command some respect from the Irish People and Not be some sort of finnishing school for players that really want to play for England / Other.
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Good point - I forgot we didn't have to qualify.
I guess we'll find out either way in the spring. Although England announced some underage squads not too long ago at various age groups and he wasn't included in any of them. At least if he does indeed want to play for another country there's a route back if he sees the error of his ways!Comment
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Odubeko was born and raised in Ireland though, so it's a bit different. Irish is his primary nationality and likely his only passport at present.
It's complicated for the Irish-Nigerian lads though, they are likely the first generation of their family who is Irish, it's understandable to have different levels of affinity to the country.
Chiedozie Ogbene was in the same school as me, amazing gaelic football player and as big a Cork man as they come. He was adamant about representing Nigeria until a few years ago and changed his mind last year. Completely understandable for Odubeko to be undecided and uncommitted as yet.Comment
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I think we would probably all benefit from not obsessing over every dual-national that comes along. The James McCarthy thread was ridiculous for about two years.Comment
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If they pull on the shirt they will be supported. If they do particularly well in an Ireland team that does particularly well they will be idolised. Previous national affiliations won’t matter a bit nor would any youthful indecision. The Irish sporting public are a simple animal.Comment
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Best of luck to the lads of dual nationality, whatever decision they make.
But it would be nice for International Football as a whole if it were possible to avoid a Rice/Grealish situation in the future.
I like the idea of a player having until their 19th/20th birthday to make a decision on their nationality and after that it's stuck.
I also like the idea of a player having to have been born in the country they represent or have at least one parent born, rather than grandparent.
But I know that will never happen.Folding my way into the big money!!!Comment
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It's never going to be perfect and there will always be cases where supporters are left unhappy with decisions. Both Rice and Grealish made their decisions at 20 years of age, and that doesn't seem to have appeased many people. Especially in Grealish's case, given that he is an English lad that never featured in a senior squad for us, I think the criticism of him is way over the top. Rice I felt shouldn't have taken the senior caps if he wasn't fully committed, but that's just my own opinion.
I think half the problem is that most supporters are one country nationals and don't really understand the additional complications of being a national of two or more countries. Most of us here feel 100% Irish but it's not always that straightforward. In the end we'll win some and we'll lose some.
I think the new rules that draw something of a line at the 21st birthday help somewhat, the change I'd make is that I'd like to go back to a senior cap committing a player, regardless of age. Personally I'd be happy for players to chop and change as they wish at underage level, it's not that important anyway, but once you take a senior cap that should be it.Comment
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Its a real shame, we even have to worry/wonder if he wants to play for his country. it doesn't sit well with me
I will taken it on the chin he he goes for Nigeria, but to try play for England if there is any truth in that, you will see me dressed as batman handcuffed to the Dail gate in protestComment
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Huh. I could scoff at both of you simultaneously. That'd be entertaining.You can't spell failure without FAIComment
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If we had a team that wasn't as tragically poor as it has been over the past few years you would expect we could pick up more of these kids with dual nationality. The promise of a bit part in a few games for England at the Euros or World Cup must be so much more attractive than the thought of lining out for an Ireland team regularly beaten by the likes of Wales and Finland and with no hope of making any tournaments for the foreseeable future.Comment
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Has there been any indication whatsoever that this lad doesn't want to play for Ireland? Anything at all? Other than a suggestion based off a look at his instagram account?Comment
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Other than the fact he was conspicuously absent from the U17 competitive fixtures after playing the friendlies, then not lining up again for us and at the same time wiping away the Ireland pictures and references from his accounts but nothing else.
It's speculation but not baseless. No point worrying about it or not giving him the benefit of the doubt though.
If he's not with the U19s or given our options up front and the Qatar friendly, even the seniors in March then we can talk about it.Comment
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