Is Alex Bruce the ultimate mercenary?

**Jerry The Saint** · 24/02/2006, 10:59 AM

Originally Posted by as_i_say

gems like mcgeady/steven reid ignored (still baffled by this under kerr).

I don't know about that. The jury is still very much out on McGeady and Steven Reid had a number of chances for Ireland when he played poorly (I'll accept that both may have shown better form at club level recently). Anyway, both players were regularly in Kerr's squads - you could argue that the likes of Mark Kennedy and Rory Delap have been ignored but Staunton clearly doesn't rate them either.

**Stuttgart88** · 24/02/2006, 11:21 AM

Jerry, Steven Reid WAS regularly ignored, honestly. In fact he actually did OK under Kerr at times. He played very well in Kerr's first game & it was his free that Kilbane headed in. It's only my personal theory, but the reason he was muck on the RHS of midfield at home to Russia was that he & Carr just had no understanding of each other whatsoever.

I've copied the following from11-a-side.com. Interesting to note that Bruce snr turned Ireland down because of the 5 Foreigner Rule in Europe at the time (if true I'd actually have some sympathy for that decision), though I thought players brought up through the junior ranks in England didn't count - can't really remember!

Birmingham boss backs Alex for Irish role

February 24, 2006

Birmingham City manager Steve Bruce has backed his son Alex’s decision to declare for Ireland – at the same time revealing the thinking behind his own decision to rebuff an approach from Jack Charlton to turn out for Ireland for the World Cup in the United States in 1994.

Alex, a central defender or full back, is likely to make his under-21 debut against Sweden in Drogheda on Tuesday evening.

And Bruce is happy for his son to reform familial links with Ireland, although he felt he would not have been best served by the move when he was starring for Manchester United.

He said: “With his grandparents being Irish he thought, why not? It’s genuine that both sides of our family are Irish.

"I think the opportunity to gain international recognition appeals to Alex and I am happy to support him in that.

"I had that chance when Jack Charlton was in charge of the Republic before USA ’94. I nearly went but I decided against it, especially as we were going to be hindered as a club at Manchester United with the five foreigners rule.

"But obviously with my mother being Irish it was a close call. Jack rang me. He said that he had just spoken to a waiter on the train and heard that my mother was Irish! He said: ’Why haven’t you told me before!’”

**Stuttgart88** · 24/02/2006, 11:24 AM

Apologies if it's been mentioned above, but weren't both McAteer & Kernaghan eligible for Ireland only because they had ancestry from the 6 counties? Is Alex Bruce descendent from the North or was he only eligible for them because of the reverse of McAteer & Kernaghan's situation? Bruce snr didn't specify in the interview above.

**as_i_say** · 24/02/2006, 11:41 AM

kennedy and delap have had their chances, particularly kennedy-he's no use. delap has been unfortunate with injuries at vital times but cant see him getting a look in.

Seriously though s reid and mcgeady WERE virtually ignored by kerr. i havent checked any stats but i cant remember any competitve games that steven reid started for us even though he was playing well at center mid and right mid last season for blackburn.

kerr would pick holland at all costs (and roy of course). duff and andy reid were both automatic when they were both poor enough to have been subbed in a few games and were not. steven reid should be given a shot instead of accomodating andy just for the sake of it. my 2 cents

anyway hindsight but im hoping that all these youngsters will be just thrown straight in-exactly what mick did in 96. the stars will remain an

remember alan moore, liam daish, dominic foley, john goodman,graham barrett and others and i cant think of? give them international caps straight away if they are playing at a high level and see if they can handle it.

id also give trundle a go even though hes decided to stay at swansea

**Dodge** · 24/02/2006, 11:51 AM

BTW Reid is far too old to be considered a prospect (and was under Kerr too)

**pete** · 24/02/2006, 12:20 PM

Originally Posted by Dodge

BTW Reid is far too old to be considered a prospect (and was under Kerr too)

Mark Kennedy was not picked as he is not good enough.
Steven Reid has only showed good club form in the last 12 months. I still remember him coming on as sub against Russia & trotting around the pitch, no energy & no class.
Kerr used the granny rule to get McGready & while he was ok last year has had terrible form this season while Kerr was in charge so i don't think him beinmg ignored is valid.

Whenever you suggest a player should be in a squad you also have to consider who should be dropped.

**as_i_say** · 24/02/2006, 12:53 PM

i didnt say that reid was a prospect. he was a prospect in 2001 but i believe he deserves to be in there. lets face it there were plenty of lads trotting around the place under kerr.

**Paddy Garcia** · 24/02/2006, 3:49 PM

Originally Posted by ThatGuy

The likes of Houghton should never have been let near our squad,

What has Houghton done to earn your disapproval?

**Bungle** · 24/02/2006, 4:16 PM

In reply to whether Carragher was ever asked to play for us,the answer is no.However undoubtedly if he had been asked he would have said yes.He's a typical Liverpudlian,who doesnt really have any affinity for England and like most Liverpudlians has an affinity for Ireland.I lived in Bootle where he is from and remember in 1988,when we beat England,all the scousers were going mental when Houghton scored!!A few years ago,Liverpool fans used to buy in droves a t shirt with Carra on it saying "**** it,its only England",because he was constantly being overlooked for a call up.

**gustavo** · 24/02/2006, 6:05 PM

Surely if he had this "affinity" for us , he wouldnt have had to wait to be asked to declare .

**CollegeTillIDie** · 26/02/2006, 4:15 PM

Originally Posted by The Legend

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

Steve Bruce did not declare for Ireland for only one reason. It would have put ManURe over the 5 non-foreigners rule which applied in UEFA competitions before Bosman among other things.

**Plastic Paddy** · 26/02/2006, 4:17 PM

Club before country - an easy enough decision if you've no strong personal allegiance.

PP

**Paddy Garcia** · 27/02/2006, 6:24 AM

Originally Posted by Plastic Paddy

Club before country - an easy enough decision if you've no strong personal allegiance.

PP

..the same as Kevin Gallen.

**Dodge** · 27/02/2006, 8:49 AM

No, Gallen wanted to play for England. As QPR were highly unlikely to qualify for europe, there's no way that was the reason.

**Donal81** · 27/02/2006, 12:46 PM

Originally Posted by as_i_say

Seriously though s reid and mcgeady WERE virtually ignored by kerr. i havent checked any stats but i cant remember any competitve games that steven reid started for us even though he was playing well at center mid and right mid last season for blackburn.

kerr would pick holland at all costs (and roy of course). duff and andy reid were both automatic when they were both poor enough to have been subbed in a few games and were not. steven reid should be given a shot instead of accomodating andy just for the sake of it. my 2 cents

Was McGeady not picked fairly regularly for the U21s during Kerr's reign?

**blobbyblob** · 27/02/2006, 1:16 PM

100 yay - Mercenaries are so good for generating posts.

**Dassa** · 27/02/2006, 5:05 PM

http://www.eleven-a-side.com/acrosst...p?newsid=21318

**Paddy Garcia** · 27/02/2006, 7:21 PM

Originally Posted by Dodge

No, Gallen wanted to play for England. As QPR were highly unlikely to qualify for europe, there's no way that was the reason.

That's not what Jerry Francis thought - his eyes firmly set on the England job at the time.

And it was what Jerry thought that mattered, not QPR's real chance of qualifying. And actually for a time they were not far off.