Is Alex Bruce the ultimate mercenary?

**pete** · 21/02/2006, 9:37 PM

I was just looking at the last Maderia Cup winning squad & Keith Keane (Luton Town) & Darren O'Dea (Celtic) are not included in sweden squad. Looks like the last merecenary has taken their positions?

I couldn't find info on Keane (FAi.ie sh!te) but can see that O'Dea has put in the effort to at least play at U18. IMO this is a big issue of parachuting mercenaries into the more high profile U21 & senior squads.

Just because some players in the past were mercenaries doesn't make it right to continue the practice.

**tricky_colour** · 21/02/2006, 11:50 PM

Originally Posted by pete

This is the real issue to debate here. Anyone bringing up the 2g or 3g stuff is IMO off topic.

If you are irish you play for Ireland. There should be no decision to make - if you have to think about it then you are not irish. Just to be clear - a 2 or 3g person can have dual nationality but when the offer comes around it should not require a decision as he should know already.

I think you have to accept that some people do have a mixed nationality
lets say for example that you have grandparents who are English,
Irish, Scottish and Welsh and you were born on a cruise ship in international
waters (and some people have a lot more complex circumstances than that), they do have a decision to make.
With the advent of cloning and surogate mothers things could get even more
complicated!
I expect if most people traced their family tree back far enough they would
be in for a surprise or too, apparently most people in Ireland can't do
that very far because most of the records were lost in a fire

Also you get some people who are "100%" Irish who are not particularly
keen (no pun intended

) on playing for their country anyway.

Obviously we don't want any Tom Dick or Harry playing for Ireland (especially
if they are shiite) but some people do have a decision to make so I think you
should look on it as a compliment if they choose Ireland.

Anyhow as I understand it he is a right back and has just played 3 Premiership
games so I think Finnan, Carr, O'Brien and Kelly will be a tad ahead of him in the pecking order, and quite frankly he would have more chance of making the
squad if he declared for England, however he qualifies and if he is good
enough I have no problem with him if he is selected.

**Feech** · 21/02/2006, 11:51 PM

McCarthy Irish? Don't make me laugh - he's said in interviews that he was English till he was in his 3rd decade in this world...

**The Legend** · 22/02/2006, 12:21 AM

All i can say is shame Stevie Bruce didnt declare during his prime!

**Clipper** · 22/02/2006, 2:05 AM

As far as I remember Steve Bruce tried to declare for us, but had an under age cap for England so wasn't eligible.

**Plastic Paddy** · 22/02/2006, 5:02 AM

Originally Posted by Feech

McCarthy Irish? Don't make me laugh - he's said in interviews that he was English till he was in his 3rd decade in this world...

Sources?

What utter nonsense. He captained and managed his country and still the likes of you won't accept him as Irish. Disgraceful.

PP

**Den Perry** · 22/02/2006, 7:20 AM

Originally Posted by as_i_say

Argh. I believe there is a difference between grabbing a granny and having an irish parent. I dont know for sure about Mcloughlin or sheridan but mccarthy and breen have irish fathers and breen in particular was brought up to be irish-going to bogball games etc.

IMO You cannot compare the likes of Kilbane, Breen, David Connolly, Mick mccarthy with Alex Bruce, Matt Holland or Clinton Morrisson

Sheridan's parents came from Ballymun, and he played underage all yhe way up for Ire. No doubting that he is Irish

**Den Perry** · 22/02/2006, 7:22 AM

Originally Posted by Bald Student

They have homosexual marraige in Britain now.

ha! thats the way forward. If some of you love the team as much as you claim......

**Hither green** · 22/02/2006, 9:27 AM

Originally Posted by tricky_colour

Obviously we don't want any Tom Dick or Harry playing for Ireland (especially if they are shiite) but some people do have a decision to make so I think you should look on it as a compliment if they choose Ireland.

I've no problem with players having to make a decision, I've a problem with those not able to make a decision or admit to making that decision for dubious reasons. Those that play for us because their first choice, england, aren�t interested and they want to further their careers playing international football! Those like Bruce who pick which country to play for because one is better than the other! Any of those players that we have to cajole or bribe to play for us, the likes of Nolan for example!

I was reading about the young Fulham lad, Michael Timlin, in this week�s Irish Post. Born in London but always want to play for Ireland, in fact turned down a call to play for the english U17 team, that�s what we need more of!

**Block G Raptor** · 22/02/2006, 10:50 AM

Originally Posted by tricky_colour

With the advent of cloning things could get even more
complicated!

If Ronaldinho is cloned in Dublin can he play for us?

(now where did i leave that turkey baister)

**blobbyblob** · 22/02/2006, 10:53 AM

Originally Posted by tricky_colour

Obviously we don't want any Tom Dick or Harry playing for Ireland .

Mercenaries are one thing but rejecting Toms, Dicks and Harrys is going a bit too far.

The Honey Monster will be none too pleased to hear that.

**Block G Raptor** · 22/02/2006, 10:53 AM

Originally Posted by tricky_colour

Obviously we don't want any Tom Dick or Harry playing for Ireland (especially
if they are [shiite) .

whats wrong with a shi-ite muslim playing for Ireland

**Dillo** · 22/02/2006, 10:56 AM

I wouldn't have Alex Bruce in the Longford Town team. He'll never make a centre half and is certainly no addition to the irish squad. Is this some kind of ****take or something?!

**as_i_say** · 22/02/2006, 11:54 AM

Originally Posted by Block G Raptor

whats wrong with a shi-ite muslim playing for Ireland

dam better delete that

**Dodge** · 22/02/2006, 12:03 PM

Originally Posted by as_i_say

dam better delete that

Fair play for deleting that post.

**thegit** · 22/02/2006, 12:26 PM

What about Roy Keane I believe he's from London originally.

Haa haa ! maybe not, but he deserted us in our hour of need (don't worry I'm not starting all that again). All those so called mercenaries like Houghton and such made kids like Duff and Robbie Keane dream about playing for Ireland. Who cares about where they come from if there good enough and want to play as soon as they put on that green shirt there Irish to me.

**Dillo** · 22/02/2006, 12:33 PM

Originally Posted by tommy

And how many times have you seen him play?

Saw him play a few times for Birmingham lately. He's too small, he doesn't have the build or the ability. Only reason he's playing for brum is because his dad's in charge.

**thegit** · 22/02/2006, 12:44 PM

yeah cause his dad's under no pressure to get results, do you really think Bruce would throw him in if he wasn't ready ? I'm not saying he's great but who knows he could make the grade!

**OwlsFan** · 22/02/2006, 1:35 PM

I've seen Bruce play a number of times when he was on loan at Wednesday. He is not very good - treats having the ball at his feet like a hot potato to be gotten rid of anywhere, any place asap.

As for the usual McCarthy is English s**t - how many Englishmen did you see crying when we lost the play-off in Belgium ? Mick is Irish with a father from Tallow, County Waterford and I've never seen anyone wear the green jersey with as much pride as he did. Just because you're born in a stable, it doesn't make you a horse or a slight variation of this from Cork is "if the cat had kittens in the greenhouse, would you call them tomatoes?".