QuoteDid he say, we wouldnt want him because he was a protestant?
Nope.
It gets tiresome when the mere mention of Celtic or Rangers automatically equates to religous bigotry to some footbal fans.
come on yourself.......
So Serb saying that nobody wanting to play for Ireland would go to Rangers was about the colour of their kits then?Originally Posted by Junior
The only person posting about religion is you though?
Come on.
Did he say, we wouldnt want him because he was a protestant?
Nope.
It gets tiresome when the mere mention of Celtic or Rangers automatically equates to religous bigotry to some footbal fans.
come on yourself.......
I thought you were off the drink Ronnie?
"No, I drink to help me mind my own business....can I get you one? (c) Ronnie Drew
Okay, finish this sentence then:
Bardsley showed that he didn't want to play for Ireland when he agreed to go to Rangers on loan, because...
on the whole the Scottish League isn't up to standard
he still hadnt discovered he had any irish roots
I thought you were off the drink Ronnie?
"No, I drink to help me mind my own business....can I get you one? (c) Ronnie Drew
Stephen Ireland has had problems with his roots too.
I thought he fixed that with his transplant.
I think I should the parachute, because I'm great.
In fact, I think I should get both parachutes, in case one doesn't work.
Didn't one of our best players of recent times one Joseph Lapira dream of playing for Rangers and nobody gave him any stick? In fairness though his talent transcended centuries old divides.
Last edited by youngirish; 03/08/2009 at 4:05 PM.
I'm pretty sure that Kyle Lafferty and Steven Davies are Irish, just happen to be Northern Irish. I would actually love to see one of our (RoI) players go to Rangers or an NI player of Unionist background at Celtic. It's about time this whole thing was put to bed, and it wont happen until either club stop selecting from respective Irish gene pools. I know Bertie Peacock played for Celtic but over the last 30 years all their Irish players from both North and South have been "nationalists / Catholics" whilst all Ranger's Irish players have been Northerners with unionist backgrounds. When there are so many Europeans, Africans, Japanese and Americans etc playing for both clubs it is absolutely ludicrous and indefensible.
It goes both ways though, who says the players want to go there?
If you are a Northern Irish Catholic, it would probably be more hassle than it was worth to play for Rangers, and vice-versa for a Unionist at Celtic.
Allen McKnight played for Celtic - a Northern Ireland protestant (didnt go down to well in NI)
I have a head only Snow White would love
That's the bit I had trouble with Ted..
Top Breeders recommend drinkfeckarse....
That's true. Other that not wanting to play for Ireland what is the attraction to play for Rangers? Well, apart from been one of the biggest clubs in the world and winning move trophies than any other team in Europe. Plus the fact they play in front of 50,000 fans every second week, challeging for silverware every season and playing in europe year in year out. A great chance for a young player to prove himself and gain experience.
Anyway he'd add competition for places in joined the Ireland set-up but can't see it happening.
IMO the "selection policy" of two British clubs isn't a relevant topic of discussion for the Ireland forum. As it is Irish clubs aren't as selective when it comes to their players.
FYI Graham Gartland was strongly linked with Rangers not too long ago. If you don't know who he is, he has a profile on wikipedia that you can read up on.
I daresay there were a few meatheads who objected to McKnight joining Celtic - it is NI we're talking about, after all.
But if I recall correctly, the majority weren't actually bothered, perhaps because they didn't even notice? After all, McKnight was only with Celtic for two seasons, most of it spent on loan to Albion Rovers. In fact, as third choice behind Packie Bonner and Peter Marshall, he played just 12 times for the Bhoys...
Much more notable was his time with WHU, where "McKnightmare" entered into Upton Park legend, but sadly for all the wrong reasons:
http://www.westhamtillidie.com/2008/...ations-please/
As for his NI record, he made 10 consecutive appearances between 1987 and 1989, proving decidedly average in what was a decidedly average team. However, he did endear himself to NI fans with his finest performance in an NI shirt, where a succession of top saves saw him keep a clean sheet in a World Cup Qualifier at Windsor Park in September 1988. Playing alongside fellow Bhoy, Anton Rogan, guess who NI's opponents were that day?
P.S. Back on the subject of Bardsley, does anyone know exactly how he qualifies for ROI?
It should also be put in it's context. He played 5-6 games for them on a short term loan deal that lasted a few months. At the age of 22, while on the margins of the Man Utd squad he may well have very little choice in the matter, and just been told that he had to go there to get first team experience... For instance I doubt Beckham personally selected Preston for his loan spell there, or did O'Shea pick Bournemouth when he went on loan there in 2000 ?
^ I think it's via one of his mother's parents.
I suspect you're right about Bardsley not having much choice, especially since Ferguson is a close pal of Walter Smith, and is renowned for helping out his friends over matters like these.
How many mothers does he have?
I haven't seen Bardsley play, so I don't know of his calibre, but I think a young Irish player who has progressed through the youth ranks should be given a chance to prove himself ahead of him. While I'm happy that talented players from other countries are able to play for Ireland, I believe that it's only right that young Irishmen should be given preference.
Nice to see 2 Irishmen making the majority of those lineups. Gary Breen of Barcelona, Inter Milan fame is a regular at the centre of defence.
His best mate, Alex Bruce, used the granny rule to get into the Ireland squad. Met the 2 of them in Vegas. Never thought of asking Bardsley about his Irish links.
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