Potentially eligible players thread

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

I’ve been really impressed with Kevin Kilbane on Newstalk of late. He’s a good skin, enjoyable to listen to and really insightful. Dan O’Donnell couldn’t make an assertion on the Irish camp last night without adding the caveat of “but, I don’t know” to the end of his sentences, seemingly mindful of Kilbane’s presence and obvious knowledge. Joe Molloy struck up a discussion on Andre Gray’s, admittedly despicable, tweets. As a presenter, a bit of context on Gray’s background would be within Molloy’s duty to provide. However, it took Kilbane to refer to his stabbing, involvement in gang activity and tough upbringing. He didn’t do it to excuse Gray but just to provide some context.

Anyway, John Cross of the Mirror was on to discuss Jack Wilshere last night and Kilbane couldn’t let him go without asking him what he thought of Sam Allardyce’s willingness to bring in naturalized citizens into the England squad (discussions having been recently held with Steven N’Zonzi). I thought it was really adding value to the show by Kilbane to ask this question of a well-placed English journalist.

After Cross was gone Kilbane struck gold again for the listeners. He discussed how the practice didn’t sit right with him. Most intriguingly, he said that there have been discussions in the England underage set-up whereby young players have been told to cut their teeth at international level in the underage set-ups of other countries, like Ireland, and if it works out they’d be brought into the England set-up. He also stated that England are really going after as many underage players as they can at the moment to hold such discussions or. Otherwise, to get them to switch across. Obviously, Grealish was name-checked in this but the likes of Agyei-Tabi, Crowley and others have began their international career with us before moving across to England also. A worrying practice if they’re doing this on the back of advice from someone like Gareth Southgate, who Kilbane did mention too.

It's what I have surmised to be the case all along.

Kilbane speaks the truth. I find he doesn't sugarcoat anything.

[liamoo11]

It's what I have surmised to be the case all along.

Kilbane speaks the truth. I find he doesn't sugarcoat anything.

the England section on big soccer is well worth a look . It has a dual nationality thread. As bad as England's new approach is for us it seems to prob affect the likes of Nigeria and Jamaica even more. Very informative site

[Olé Olé]

It's what I have surmised to be the case all along.

Kilbane speaks the truth. I find he doesn't sugarcoat anything.

Of course you have.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

English-born Former Ireland U-21 International Callum Morris has been called up for Northern Ireland after failing to get a look-in with us.

https://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/fp/aberdeen-fc/aberdeen-callum-morris-northern-ireland/

Callum Morris who played at underage level for us has been called up by the north, another example of our players being shamelessly poached

Not half as annoying as my comments being shamelessly poached.

[The Fly]

Will Keane would consider declaring for Ireland if Martin O’Neill comes calling

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Lynden Gooch open to idea of playing for Ireland; England.

The versatile forward is also eligible to play for England through his Colchester-born father and the Republic of Ireland through his mother, and he has admitted that he would still be open to playing for either country if they decide to pursue his services before he gets another chance in the US setup.

“I could never say no,” he added to the Men in Blazers. “I think Ireland is a part of me – that’s were my mother’s from – and so is England after living here for four years. Obviously my dad’s from England and I’ve got a lot of family here.

“It would be a great honour to play for any three of those countries.”

http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2016/09/11...-conversation/

[Paddy Garcia]

You would like to think that we have the wit to get Gooch & Keane on board!

[Colbert Report]

What do we have to lose by calling Gooch up for our next qualifier and subbing him on at the end for a minute to cap tie him? There aren't many 20 year olds who break into the Premiership, albeit at a weak club like Sunderland. He's exactly what we need what with Hoolahan getting on in age.

[Charlie Darwin]

What do we have to lose by calling Gooch up for our next qualifier and subbing him on at the end for a minute to cap tie him?

I suppose you could **** off all the players who have actually had their earn their caps instead of being gifted one because they have a different accent.

[Colbert Report]

Minutes played in the Premier League so far this season:

Harry Arter 346
David Meyler 342
Glenn Whelan 336
Lynden Gooch 230

Why risk losing him? We capped Joey Lapira!

[Charlie Darwin]

Don't remind me about Joe Lapira. But crucially he didn't get a competitive cap so he can still represent the USA if he wants!

The one thing O'Neill has undoubtedly done, despite criticism of his unadventurous squads, is create a good team spirit. I can see why bringing in a guy who's had less Premier League minutes than Kevin Toner upsetting players for whom a cap is something they've had to work far harder for. Besides, it's unfair to put that pressure on the guy himself who clearly hasn't decided what team he wants to play for anyway, so the worst-case scenario is you get a Grealish situation where he embarrasses the whole set-up by making us look desperate, which we shouldn't be.

[Colbert Report]

I'd just be worried that the USA call him up just to cap-tie him and he can't really turn them down because we haven't been in contact. We're not really in a position to allow anyone who is of Premier League quality to slip through our fingers.

[Charlie Darwin]

If they do, they do. But as far as I know the US only cap-tie German players

But I don't think it's clear at this stage that he's Premier League quality. A few minutes at the start (or end) of the season doesn't mean much just yet.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Unless Coleman or O'Shea score tomorrow then it will be four rounds of matches without a goal scored by an Irish player.

Could be a record low in terms of goals scored by Irish players this season.

Brady and Hoolahan good for 4 or 5 a season but they have dropped to the Championship, Walters on rotation and off penalty taking duties, Long short on confidence, Coleman's lost his goalscoring touch..

Last season wasn't so bad in terms of Irish goals scored but it's looking like a drastic drop this year.

[Charlie Darwin]

Lynden Gooch is due a goal I'd say.

[gastric]

Wouldn't a B international be a good idea? It would gauge who is really interested and who is not without affecting the first team morale and unity as Charlie mentioned above.

[tetsujin1979]

listening to the full interview here - http://soccer.nbcsports.com/2016/09/...-lynden-gooch/ - it sounds like a throwaway comment more than anything. I'd be surprised if he plays for anyone other than the US

[tetsujin1979]

not much use now, but Trevor Sinclair was eligible to play for the Republic through his Sligo-born mother - https://twitter.com/trevor8sinclair/...57422482300929

To all the people asking why I support Celtic? Only choice as my mum is from Sligo and my step dad is from Glasgow and a big fan #COYBIG

According to his wiki page, he had U21 caps in 1993, so the FAI would have wanted to act fast!

[Murph 1]

Agree with Gastric, the notion of a B International would allow O Neill the opportunity to explore those who qualify. There hasn't been a B game for quite a while now and given the need to increase the options available-this is most regrettable.

[Stuttgart88]

We'd all love B internationals but the club calendar is so congested now it's really unlikely we'll see any of them I reckon. Club managers are miserly enough releasing players even when they really have to these days.