Reading star rules out Irish switch(now says he would consider it)

**gustavo** · 26/01/2006, 8:23 PM

i take back all i thought about him now especially due to his previous stance

**eirebhoy** · 26/01/2006, 9:12 PM

Aye, it seems he has been persuaded by a few people.

**Condex** · 26/01/2006, 10:30 PM

Whats the difference between Kitson and Morrisson, apart from being a better player Kitson is more honest...

**TheJamaicanP.M.** · 26/01/2006, 10:36 PM

I reckon there has been contact between Staunton and Kitson's people. I think Kitson has been convinced that he should play for Ireland. Otherwise, I don't think he'd have made such a u-turn. We might not see him in the squad for the Sweden game but I think he will be called up before the real action starts in the autumn.
Are the likes of Zat Knight and Marlon King still looking to throw their lot in with the Oirish?

We could end up with the following striking options:
Robbie Keane
Clinton Morrison
Kevin Doyle
Stephen Elliott
David Connolly
Dave Kitson
Gary McSheffrey
Lee Trundle
Marlon King
Michael Reddy ...

**FarBeag** · 26/01/2006, 11:23 PM

No way. He can stick it where the sun dont shine.I cant support players using us as a second option when they cant get a game for their preferred country.

**livehead1** · 26/01/2006, 11:48 PM

Originally Posted by TheJamaicanP.M.

I reckon there has been contact between Staunton and Kitson's people. I think Kitson has been convinced that he should play for Ireland. Otherwise, I don't think he'd have made such a u-turn. We might not see him in the squad for the Sweden game but I think he will be called up before the real action starts in the autumn.
Are the likes of Zat Knight and Marlon King still looking to throw their lot in with the Oirish?

We could end up with the following striking options:
Robbie Keane
Clinton Morrison
Kevin Doyle
Stephen Elliott
David Connolly
Dave Kitson
Gary McSheffrey
Lee Trundle
Marlon King
Michael Reddy ...

knight has played for england and king for jamaica

**Qwerty** · 26/01/2006, 11:59 PM

Originally Posted by totalfootball

This is more depressing news to add to the Gary McSheffrey announcement. It just goes to show how unprincipled people can be.

What I don't understand, though, is why people seem to be more upset about the likes of Kitson or McSheffrey playing for Ireland after they have clearly explained that they would have preferred to play for England, while at the same time they are pleased to see the likes of Holland or Morrisson playing for Ireland. Do people really think that someone like Holland, who had never even set foot in the country before he acquired citizenship and was selected to play for us, dreamt of playing for Ireland when he was a kid? Come on! Kitson and McSheffrey are just too more Englishmen, like Cascarino,Townsend and the rest of them, who will play for Ireland because it suits them, and as Kitson himself explained, they will be taking the places of Irishmen who actually wanted to represent their country.

Cas played under Eoin Hand, I think that gives him a pass. I was not happy about Townsend, Holland or Morrison but once they are in the squad there doesn't seem to much point in wasting enery disliking them. And besides they all have played and behaved when representing Ireland.

One Irish grandparent doesn't cut the Colman's for me - except for guys like McGeady who sign up at an early age. I think Stan has been unwise in being so public about the Granny-rule, it's makes us look bad, I think if we use the Granny-rule it should be at youth level preferably U-19 but I can live with U-21.

McSheffrey isn't eligible fullstop . If I'm wrong please correct me.

**Ash** · 27/01/2006, 8:14 AM

taken from www.independent.ie

Kitson about-turn as Reading striker admits he would consider Irish offer
Gerry McDermott
in Montreux

AS Ireland manager Steve Staunton prepared himself for this morning's Euro 2008 qualifying draw in Switzerland, he was boosted by the news that Reading striker Dave Kitson is having second thoughts about not declaring for Ireland.

Last week, Kitson stated he wouldn't be putting himself forward for selection, even though he qualifies though his paternal grandfather, because he didn't believe in the 'granny rule'. But Staunton confirmed last night that there has been contact, although the player insists he has yet to speak to the Dundalk man. However, Kitson, who has scored 17 goals this season, admits he is having second thoughts about saying he would not declare for Ireland.

"If they decide to make a move I would have to think about it," said Kitson.

"I don't want to be presumptuous, so we will have to see. But if you want to play international football and you're eligible for two countries you have to have a serious think."

Staunton confirmed last night in Montreux, where he is attending today's Euro 2008 draw, that he intends to talk to Kitson. He watched the 25-year-old score twice against Coventry two weeks ago and he admitted he is also trying to sort out the eligibility of Coventry's Gary McSheffrey.

The striker has played non-competitive football for England's U20 side but there is an unconfirmed suggestion he may have played two competitive games for England's U19 side, which would rule himout of playing for Ireland as he is over 21 and thus unable to change his international allegiance.

Staunton also revealed that he is very happy with the response to his appeal last week for information about players who qualify under the 'granny rule'.

"I don't want to say who they are out of respect to them and their clubs but we have had a very encouraging response," said the Ireland manager.

**dr_peepee** · 27/01/2006, 11:27 AM

Thats about the 2nd or 3rd time in the last year or so I've read mixed signals from him over this...

**lopez** · 27/01/2006, 11:55 AM

Surprise, surprise!! Another principled footballer.

Originally Posted by Qwerty

Cas played under Eoin Hand, I think that gives him a pass.

Not at all. Tony Galvin hummed and harghed about playing for Ireland and both he and his relevent parent didn't have a clue where his grandfather was from, delaying his first cap.

Originally Posted by Qwerty

One Irish grandparent doesn't cut the Colman's for me - except for guys like McGeady who sign up at an early age.

I agree with you there, although I'd be surprised that McGeady had just the one Irish grandparent seeing his attitude.

**Cosmo** · 27/01/2006, 12:32 PM

Originally Posted by Condex

Whats the difference between Kitson and Morrisson, apart from being a better player Kitson is more honest...

No difference, they should be both told to f**k off

**as_i_say** · 27/01/2006, 12:54 PM

this is astonishing stuff really re:kitson. he obviously spoke from the heart about how he felt and if he makes a u-turn now he will surely come under stick from a lot of the irish public. its just ridiculous that we should even consider a guy that has said publicly that he is not irish.

same deal with kevin nolan.

**Noelys Guitar** · 27/01/2006, 1:07 PM

The "interview" he supposedly gave was printed in the Indo. This is the same paper which stated categorically that Kerr was going to be appointed the new South Africa manager. Kerr himself has completely refuted this story. They stated that Kevin Nolan was inelligble to declare for Ireland. Completely wrong again. They NEVER retract their barstool top of the head stories. Every week there is a number of made up stories on the football pages relating to Irish football. I would like a journo from anywhere else other than O'Reillys sheets to ask Kitson directly exactly what he said to the Indo. Did they even contact him. Or is it AGAIN just another fabrication.

**OwlsFan** · 27/01/2006, 1:19 PM

"I don't want to be presumptuous, so we will have to see. But if you want to play international football and you're eligible for two countries you have to have a serious think." --- Kitson

Hardly earth shattering news. He'll have a think about it. Did he not think prior to his previous utterances - being a footballer, perhaps not. Anyway I don't take that as a sign he'll declare for us. It is, as usual, a "story" driven by a few quotes.

**livehead1** · 27/01/2006, 2:16 PM

don't you bloody worry, there is no doubt at all that he will declare. Hes seen a great oppurtunity here with an international team, something to tell the grandkids if nothing else...

**gustavo** · 27/01/2006, 2:50 PM

so much for principles

**Leinster Lim** · 27/01/2006, 3:15 PM

I would love to see Kitson lining out for Ireland our attack was so bad in the WC qualifiers that it sucked, bigtime. Let Staunton pick whoever he wants and see what happens we can't get any worse.

**eirebhoy** · 27/01/2006, 4:19 PM

Originally Posted by totalfootball

What I don't understand, though, is why people seem to be more upset about the likes of Kitson or McSheffrey playing for Ireland after they have clearly explained that they would have preferred to play for England, while at the same time they are pleased to see the likes of Holland or Morrisson playing for Ireland.

I doubt people are "more upset". Just because we haven't stopped supporting the Ireland national team doesn't mean we support previous Ireland manager's decisions to call these players up. There's nothing the average fan can do about it.

**Closed Account 2** · 28/01/2006, 2:35 PM

We could always play the likes of McSheffery and Kitson, bringing them on as subs in the final few minutes of a Unity Cup match and then not play them again.

In the long run that might filter out some of the more mercenaric declarations.