Stephen Ireland

[EalingGreen]

I don't know Ireland's particular circumstances and I've only seen him play live once (for City), but a while back, NI had similar problems with one or two players messing the manager (Sanchez) around.
Despite their being good enough, ability-wise, to be worth their place in the team, Sanchez took a hard line. In the short term, this might have hurt us, but in the long term, it was exactly the right thing, since every player knew who was in charge and what was expected of them and in the absence of favourites and special cases, team morale took off.
Possibly Staunton hadn't enough experience or authority to take such a stance, but I really can't see Trapattoni being messed around, since he has had to deal with players a hell of a sight more talented than Ireland in the past.
Indeed in such circumstances, I am always minded to recall the words of Sir Alex Ferguson when he has to deal with difficult players:
"What people should never forget is that I'm not here to please the players, they're here to please me!"

[jebus]

But do you not think that open the eyes of the FAI and they have moved forward and progressed from then?

No I don't. Just because they struck gold with Trap doesn't mean they are anymore efficent. Either way to end my particapation on any Roy Keane discussion, he had a point, but he went about making it in entirely the wrong way and should never have been asked back to the national team. Ireland I'd be willing to forgive as long as holds his hands up and admits he's basically a moron, anything other than an apology for him for his nonsense with the grandmother buisness and I wouldn't have him back either.

People seem to forget that it's a privilage to play for your country, not just here either, but thats part of the bigger problem that is eating modern football from the inside out

[irishultra]

I agree. Some of the attitudes on here regarding Stephen Ireland are absolutely ridiculous. You would think it was Maradona we were trying to convince to come back. These comments that pop up every now and then about him being by far our most talented player are obviously coming from people from Cobh or the man himself under an alias. Certainly not from any unbiased source that has watched him play a few times.

S Ireland is an average Premiership player, no more, no less. Yes he may improve as he's still young but until that's the case he shouldn't be let near the squad until he comes grovelling back and begs his teammates, managerial staff and fans for their forgiveness for his past sins. Even if he does drasticallly improve I'd be hesitant to let him back near the squad.

The day we're relying on the likes of Stephen Ireland, a whinging, overrated, lazy midfielder with a tendency to go missing in games and a shocking goals to game ratio for his club, to qualify for a major tournament is the day I paint the wheels of my new landrover pink and change my name by deed poll to Daddy Dick.

The guy has got insane talent, I think Elano said he has the best technique in the training ground, but he is overrated. He's not Messi....he's more of a Kim Kallstrom level player.

[jmurphyc]

The guy has got insane talent, I think Elano said he has the best technique in the training ground, but he is overrated. He's not Messi....he's more of a Kim Kallstrom level player.

He's yet to really show his "insane talent" for us. The only talent he has really showed so far is a talent to pop up with a goal and go missing for the other 89 minutes of a game. I would still like him to come back but my patience is wearing thin.

[carloz]

I really think the hardline approach has to be take with Stephen Ireland. Set a date, say a couple of days before the squad for the Norway game is named, and if his mind is not made up by then, simply inform him he wont be considered for selection again. Why should the Irish management pussy foot around this issue. Yes he is a decent player but at the end of the day there is simply no reason whatsoever for him not to be available for selection. He has no good reason not to be playing for Ireland.

[carloz]

He's yet to really show his "insane talent" for us. The only talent he has really showed so far is a talent to pop up with a goal and go missing for the other 89 minutes of a game. I would still like him to come back but my patience is wearing thin.

Id agree with this. Many Irish fans have been blinded by the goals he has scored in the last campaign for us. He was quite poor in a number of games. To say he has 'insane' talent is pushing it a tad too

[irishultra]

He's yet to really show his "insane talent" for us. The only talent he has really showed so far is a talent to pop up with a goal and go missing for the other 89 minutes of a game. I would still like him to come back but my patience is wearing thin.

When I say 'insane talent' I don't mean like Benzema or someone but he does have something about him which I think is quality.

[Traps Cat]

Id agree with this. Many Irish fans have been blinded by the goals he has scored in the last campaign for us. He was quite poor in a number of games. To say he has 'insane' talent is pushing it a tad too

Yes , surely he is just "Insane" full stop!!

[slippeydolphin]

Stephen Ireland is a very talented player, but he seems very misguided. He is the sort of player who can be a playmaker and pass the ball, something that we desperately need. The lad needs a chance, and was goin through some tough times.
Lets hope he comes back into the fold sooner rather than later!

[galwayhoop]

The lad needs a chance, and was goin through some tough times.
Lets hope he comes back into the fold sooner rather than later!

i read an article today about scott brown (scotland & celtic). apparently his sister passed away a couple of months before the end of last season. first i had heard of it was today, however he played through the difficult months and is now relishing the new season after putting a few hard months behind him.

titi camara played a game for liverpool a few years ago on the night his father died, scored a goal and dedicated it to his father. missed the funeral by playing that night too.

frank lampard's mother died the weekend (iirc) before chelsea played liverpool in the champions league semi-final, in which he played a vital role in their victory.

robbie keane came out to the second of an international double header after his father passed away, played poorly and looked a bit shaken but came out anyway.

stephen ireland tells us he had a family tragedy but was well able to play for man city through it, however is still (9 months later) unable to play for ireland - i do not buy that for one second. come out with the true reason you won't play or just p1ss off for good. i personally don't care one way or another.

I am sick however of listening to people making excuses for the upstart, sh1t happens everyday to people and they just get on with it, are we so weak as politically correct puppets nowadays that mental strength is totally gone and lack thereof is excused away??

[bellavistaman]

hes playing very well tonight tbf, his passing range is something we cannot do without

[Razors left peg]

hes playing very well tonight tbf, his passing range is something we cannot do without

He looks like hes filled out a bit too. He is definately a quality player

[Newryrep]

hes playing very well tonight tbf, his passing range is something we cannot do without

Arent they playinng in the Faores ? hardly a major work out

The longer it goes on the more inclined i am to tell him to go **** himself , he really should of clarified when Trap took over.

However I will leave it to Trap's decision on what is best for the whole squad, he is experienced enough to have gauged any possible squad reaction to his possible return. Dont think the fans will ever forgive him whatever he decides.

[carloz]

i read an article today about scott brown (scotland & celtic). apparently his sister passed away a couple of months before the end of last season. first i had heard of it was today, however he played through the difficult months and is now relishing the new season after putting a few hard months behind him.

titi camara played a game for liverpool a few years ago on the night his father died, scored a goal and dedicated it to his father. missed the funeral by playing that night too.

frank lampard's mother died the weekend (iirc) before chelsea played liverpool in the champions league semi-final, in which he played a vital role in their victory.

robbie keane came out to the second of an international double header after his father passed away, played poorly and looked a bit shaken but came out anyway.

stephen ireland tells us he had a family tragedy but was well able to play for man city through it, however is still (9 months later) unable to play for ireland - i do not buy that for one second. come out with the true reason you won't play or just p1ss off for good. i personally don't care one way or another.

I am sick however of listening to people making excuses for the upstart, sh1t happens everyday to people and they just get on with it, are we so weak as politically correct puppets nowadays that mental strength is totally gone and lack thereof is excused away??

Give yourself a pat on the back mate, excellent post. People have to realise that its 9 months now since his supposed family tagedy, put simply have run out of patience with the guy and the more we put up with it the sadder we look as a nation. So what if he is a talented player we wouldnt accept this from a guy in the under 17s, why should we from Ireland

[mackannovic]

http://image.guim.co.uk/sys-images/F...exLivesey1.jpg

And the hairpiece is gone!

[eirebhoy]

Harry Redknapp: "Monaco have come in for Niko and offered around £12m for him. We wouldn't sell and he didn't want to go anyway so that was the end of that one."

Ireland's just as good imo and is 2 years younger. You could probably pick out any critisism of Ireland's game in this thread and the same thing could be said of Kranjcar. Kranjcar is taller and has a better ability to beat players but if you watch either player for 90 minutes they're incredibly similar. Neither player takes opponents on anyway, they rather pass.

[geysir]

That's all irrelevant Eirebhoy when SI has flatly rejected a generous unconditional invitatation from Trap, who went out of his way to meet with him personally, to return to the squad.

Why not move the thread to World Football until he does decide to return?

[eirebhoy]

If an Irish player went on to become the worlds best player would you not feel some pride? Like the night Doherty won the World Championships. Supporting Ireland, for me, is more than just supporting the team for those 8 or so games a year. I'll always follow S.Ireland's career because he's Irish. I'd also love Roy Keane to go on to become the best manager in the world for the same reason.

[jinxy lilywhite]

I don't think we really are in a position to tell probably our best outfield player to go *uck off. we just don't have the strength in depth

[Drumcondra 69er]

If an Irish player went on to become the worlds best player would you not feel some pride? Like the night Doherty won the World Championships. Supporting Ireland, for me, is more than just supporting the team for those 8 or so games a year. I'll always follow S.Ireland's career because he's Irish. I'd also love Roy Keane to go on to become the best manager in the world for the same reason.

I'd reckon most people on here feel more pride for their Irishness then either of the player and ex-player / manager you mention.