Republic V North

**Stuttgart88** · 18/10/2006, 1:05 PM

Just a point on McShane: McShane was highly rated but gave Ferguson an ultimatum. When Ferguson couldn't guarantee he'd be involved he saw reason and asked for a move.

I think McShane could easily have taken the Antwerp option but thought that a shot at first team football at a Championship club with Premiership ambitions was better. That's how I understand it anyway.

Fair play to Scotland & Northern Ireland. I thought the two Scottish forwards werre fantastic last night at Celtic and also the two young Scottish central defenders. The improvement in Scotland's resources has been very clear to me over the last couple of years.

Realistically I fear for both teams' chances away to Spain (in particular), Italy & France respectively though.

**Kingdom** · 18/10/2006, 1:08 PM

Originally Posted by EalingGreen

As for McShane vs Evans, am I right in saying that McShane was actually at MU, but they decided to release him? (Could be wrong). Whereas, having played for MU in pre-season (inc.scoring against Celtic), Evans was loaned to Antwerp, which is what Ferguson does for the top youngsters that he wants to fasttrack. This was why Ferguson predicted 4 months ago that Evans should be playing for NI before the season is out.

I think you're destorting the facts slightly there EG! As far as I was aware with McShane, he put it up to Ferguson, insofar as he wanted first team action now, and if he wasn't going to get it then he was leaving. McShane felt he was at the stage where reseve team football would be stunting him rather than developing him.,

**Paddy Garcia** · 18/10/2006, 1:54 PM

[QUOTE=EalingGreen;558302]This was why Ferguson predicted 4 months ago that Evans should be playing for NI before the season is out.
[QUOTE]

Mind you, he also said that Gibson should be to - & he is a long way off the Republic midfield.

**EalingGreen** · 18/10/2006, 2:56 PM

Originally Posted by Kingdom

I think you're destorting the facts slightly there EG! As far as I was aware with McShane, he put it up to Ferguson, insofar as he wanted first team action now, and if he wasn't going to get it then he was leaving. McShane felt he was at the stage where reseve team football would be stunting him rather than developing him.,

Fair enough (though it wasn't intentional).

You can't fault a lad for being confident and wanting to further his career.

Perhaps Evans was one of the reasons why Ferguson couldn't offer much hope to McShane? After all, Evans is a full year younger and at 6' 3" physically bigger (McShane is listed as 5' 11"?), which is important for centre halves these days.

Anyhow, it will be interesting to see which of them goes further, McShane by moving on, or Evans by staying put.

**Kingdom** · 18/10/2006, 2:58 PM

Originally Posted by EalingGreen

Fair enough (though it wasn't intentional).

You can't fault a lad for being confident and wanting to further his career.

Perhaps Evans was one of the reasons why Ferguson couldn't offer much hope to McShane? After all, Evans is a full year younger and at 6' 3" physically bigger (McShane is listed as 5' 11"?), which is important for centre halves these days.

Anyhow, it will be interesting to see which of them goes further, McShane by moving on, or Evans by staying put.

John O'Shea is 6'3" a centre half and was shipped out to Antwerp. Look how thats turned out. He's cack!

**as_i_say** · 18/10/2006, 4:32 PM

o shea is a center back. he doesnt play cb for man u, they use him as a utility player. he is surrounded by quality at club level which helps him play half decent, albeit error ridden games for man u.

its the mindset of the irish selectors that just cos o shea is utilised like this for man u that he will do a job for us. in the 4 years he's been playing for us nobody there has copped on that he is useless for ireland unless playing at center back and that he somehow merits a place cos of his frequent showings for man u.