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In todays Star (on page 54) it states that 16 year old Paul George of Celtic has joined us from the North.
It says that the FAI have pulled off a major coup with the decision of Belfast born Celtic youngster Paul George to declare for Ireland. Northern Ireland chiefs had hoped to retain the services of the striker who recently signed a three year professional contract at Parkhead for this weeks UEFA U17 qualifiers but he withdrew from the squad to switch allegiance. :D
I seem to remember Belfast Green talking about this lad a few months back. Do you know much else about him? Where does he play?
http://www.celticfc.net/home/academy/under15.aspx
Right midfield.
Favourite player: McGeady.
Must be why he changed.
Striker according to the article in the Star.Quote:
Originally Posted by Predator
Played as a second striker in this game:
http://videocelt.blogspot.com/2010/0...uz-making.html
John Ringo has also switched ;)
Welcome aboard Paul.
Welcome to 'The Boys In Green' Paul :)
Good luck to the Killough lad on his international future.
Seems like he is fairly versatile. Good luck to him.
It'll be interesting if the kid is subjected to the same kind of abuse that Gibson, Kearns, Duffy et al have been.
How ironic that this should emerge on the same day as a former NI & Celtic player, Anton Rogan, should express his opinion on "switching" Nationality:
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/mu...on_392423t.jpg
Anton Rogan says people born in Northern Ireland should play for Northern Ireland
Read more: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sp...#ixzz13Pj8GJfS
As a Catholic from west Belfast who was playing his club football for Celtic, Rogan became a target.
Twenty-two years later players from the same area as Rogan have elected to play for the Republic of Ireland, while two particular Celtic players are amongst those who are favoured most by Northern Ireland fans.
As despicable as it was that Rogan’s first appearances for his country at Windsor Park was marred by abuse from a section of the Northern Ireland support, he wouldn’t have followed any other route onto the international scene and he insists that where you’re born should dictate who you play for, not holding dual nationality.
“I was born in Belfast and I had to play for Northern Ireland. That was my philosophy and always had been,” he said.
“If I’d been born in Dublin I’d have played for the Republic, but I was born in Belfast and I wanted to play for Northern Ireland.
“I enjoyed playing for Northern Ireland
“Things have changed since 1988. You don’t see Paddy McCourt or Niall McGinn coming on and getting booed, which is good for football and it’s good young boys like that play for Northern Ireland because they are born there.
“If you’re born there you play for Northern Ireland.”
Read more: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sp...#ixzz13PhupogW
That settles it then. :rolleyes:Quote:
Originally Posted by EalingGreen
Whats ironic?
A former player expresses his opinion on the matter of playing for Northern Ireland. Surely these things come out fairly routinely, albeit not Anton Rogan ones, a man who just doesnt do interviews it seems. Listened to a podcast recently including an interview with Anton (his first of the sort he claimed), mainly about his playing days with Celtic but included some of his thoughts on playing for Norn Iron. Mainly confirming what he said above.
Interestingly, based on what he said with regards to his complete non interest in football these days - bearly managing to watch a match on the tv. I doubt whether he has any knowledge or awareness of Gibson, Duffy, CAS, etc..etc...
Isn't it a good thing that Rogan's opinion has no bearing on FIFA's statutes regarding national team eligibility? Nevertheless, I'm glad that he enjoyed playing for Northern Ireland, even if I find it odd, considering that he was subject to such abuse.
They're changing all the time. :good:Quote:
Things have changed since 1988.
Who is claiming that it "settles" anything?Quote:
Originally Posted by The Fly
The purpose of my post was to counter the notion prevailing on this forum (and elsewhere) that it is natural/inevitable/recommended etc that NI-born youngsters from a Nationalist and/or Celtic background should play for ROI over the country of their birth, that's all.
err......nobody.Quote:
Originally Posted by EalingGreen
The notion is more that most NI-born youngsters from said background would have more of a natural inclination/affiliation towards the Republic of Ireland over Northern Ireland.Quote:
The purpose of my post was to counter the notion prevailing on this forum (and elsewhere) that it is natural/inevitable/recommended etc that NI-born youngsters from a Nationalist and/or Celtic background should play for ROI over the country of their birth, that's all.
Playing for the ROI in international football would merely follow on as a consequence.
The timing, for one thing. Plus the fact that Anton is not just any old "former player", but one who is frequently cited by the NI team's detractors as being an example of why young Nationalists may/should not represent the country of their birth.Quote:
Originally Posted by Junior
I might have added that this is the same month when NI fans were calling for Paddy McCourt to be recalled to the squad and Niall McGinn, who received unanimous acclaim when he made his return after injury, made the following comment:
“Anytime I have come on at Windsor Park I have enjoyed it and the fans have been great as well. I just love playing at Windsor Park and I just have to make the most of any opportunity that I might get.”
Read more: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sp...#ixzz13PwoXF2K
Just because you may be having difficulty in "playing the ball" doesn't mean you are entitled to "play the man".Quote:
Originally Posted by Junior
The simple fact is, if NI was good enough for someone like him in the times that were in it then, there is no reason why they should not be good enough for other like him now, seeing as things have improved out of all recognition in the intervening period.
Good for the FAI*, certainly, but far from "good" for football and community relations in NI generally (imo).Quote:
Originally Posted by Predator
* - "Unfair, seedy and predatory" (as per Brian Kerr)
Whilst Anton was certainly (disgracefully) abused by a section* of the NI support on occasion, it was not universally so.Quote:
Originally Posted by Predator
For example, when he was substituted with five minutes left in a victory over Uruguay, having just played outstandingly well, he was given a standing ovation by the crowd.
The difference being that certain high-profile games attracted fans who were at least as much Rangers followerers as NI fans, and they booed him because he was Celtic (just as they also booed Alan McKnight for being a Celtic player, despite his being from a Protestant/Unionist background, but did not boo Catholic NI players from other clubs).
Such fans did not usually attend the less attractive fixtures like the Uruguay friendly, where the views of the "true" NI fans prevailed.
More to the point, they either don't attend at all these days, or else they have (finally) copped on, as eg Niall McGinn could testify.
Sadly, however, it seems young George won't now get the opportunity to experience the same cult status amongst NI fans as wee Niall.
Oh well, his loss.
Onwards and Upwards.
* - Anton himself implies that it was 10%.
So what on earth was the point of your "That settles it" post (#10), then?Quote:
Originally Posted by The Fly
By all means dispute what I post, but do not contradict views or opinions which I do not hold or express.Quote:
Originally Posted by The Fly
That is to say, I do not deny that most NI-born youngsters from said background have an inclination/affiliation towards ROI over NI etc.
Rather, in the light of the Paul George news, I was merely citing the words of Anton Rogan (plus the present-day examples of Niall McGinn, Chris Baird, Sammy Clingan etc) as to why it should not necessarily be so.
You've lost me Im afraid (no need for a smart response to that either).Quote:
Originally Posted by EalingGreen
No difficulty in 'playing' anything, I wasn't inferring anything of Anton Rogan - Came across as a thoroughly decent bloke in the interview that I listened to, just thought I'd add, for those that were interested, that he has absolutely no interest in football these days and hasnt done since he finished playing. Hardly watches a game on the TV and is not involved in the sport at all, apart from helping out with his kids school team (or something equivalent). Thought that was quite interesting myself in the days when the ridiculous notion is often peddled that footballers have only two options in life once they finish playing, coaching or punditry!!
So Anton had thicker skin than most and didnt let the abuse affect him - fair play to him, its hardly a testimonial to stick on the IFA website though.
Notice what Rogan said:Quote:
Originally Posted by EalingGreen
"...but I was born in Belfast and I wanted to play for Northern Ireland."He "wanted" to play for Northern Ireland. Good for him. Paul George, evidently, does not.
Obviously times have changed, but it simply comes down to personal preference and I think most people on this forum will appreciate that.
Also, I think the whole 'play for where you were born' stuff is, frankly, short-sighted.