I know Stephen Ireland raises the hackles of many here, and I can understand why, but I think the point Geyser raised was that if Ireland was named in the squad and didnt want to play, he could no longer in any way hide from the fact (as he is apparently doing now) , leaving him with two options:
1. He could Turn up and play for his country, or
2. He could release a statement clarifying why he would not be doing so, and we could all move on.
Naming him could send a clear message to Ireland: "You're undeniably talented enough to make the squad, now either turn up and play or have the decency to tell us what your damn problem is."
This could, if it worked, possibly rule out the media speculation based on what someone else said, second hand "I think Stephen is blah blah blah" reports, and most of the unfounded rhetoric that has plagued this situation since the incapable Givens took it's helm.
Putting him in that position is not mollycoddling. In fact its quite the opposite.