Originally Posted by
DannyInvincible
He has two Irish grandparents, so whatever simple ratio/fraction that equates to, ha.
His identity is English through and through, by the sounds of it. I don't think "not being English enough" is something the FA or Hodgson would have held against him. Do you think other players considered "not English enough" have been routinely ignored? I don't see it. It's the stuff of conspiracy theory. Sure, he played for England at various under-age levels. Actually, he captained them, didn't he? Besides, England have always been happy to call up eligible dual nationals, including even those born outside of England; see Owen Hargreaves, Raheem Sterling or John Barnes, for example.
Ha, I can just see it now... Noble is captaining us in the 2018 World Cup final against England. We're in the dying moments with the score level at 0-0. Next thing, Noble picks up the ball in midfield and we all urge him forward for one last chance to steal the game before extra-time and the dreaded penalties. To everyone's surprise, he dribbles back towards Shay's goal, takes the ball into his own box and blasts it past the baffled 42-year-old caught off-guard in the Irish net. 1-0 to England, he races over in front of the stunned and heart-broken Irish supporters screaming, "Take that you fenian b*stards!"
We should have seen it coming. :(