QuoteSly Scots i wonder when that started
http://www.thesun.co.uk/scotsol/home...-no-AGAIN.html
JAMES McCARTHY last night killed speculation he was ready to snub Ireland and play for Scotland.
The Wigan Athletic ace - who pulled out of the Republic squad to face Wales earlier this week - was laying low as talk of a stunning U-turn intensified yesterday.
But adviser and family friend George Gray spoke to SunSport on his behalf and insisted: "He is 100 per cent committed to playing for the Republic of Ireland and doesn't know where this has come from.
"He didn't travel for the Carling Nations Cup because of a persistent ankle injury. It's as simple as that."
Republic boss Giovanni Trapattoni has publicly stated he fears McCarthy is ready to walk away from his side and pledge his future to Scotland.
Wigan boss Roberto Martinez added fuel to the fire yesterday, claiming McCarthy faced "a very, deep decision" about whether to switch allegiance.
SunSport understands there HAVE been tentative talks from the Scotland camp about trying to persuade one of the hottest young stars in the Premiership to switch sides.
Despite playing a friendly for Ireland against Brazil last year, former Hamilton starlet McCarthy is still eligible for Craig Levein's side.
But the Glasgow-born star - who qualifies for the Republic through his grandfather - refuses to even consider the prospect of abandoning his adopted nation. Gray added: "There has been no discussion between James or anyone from Scotland. Until this week it wasn't even an issue.
"I have spoken to James and his family at great length this morning. All he wants to do is concentrate on his football.
"He plays for the Republic of Ireland and has done since he was 17. He's looking forward to an illustrious career with them and wants this put to bed once and for all.
"The FAI have been incredibly supportive towards James for a long time, so there is no way he will be jumping ship. He's staying where he is."
McCarthy's withdrawal from the Republic squad on Monday sparked fears among the Irish he was set to quit.
His Wigan team-mates Steven Caldwell and James McArthur admitted he'd be a great addition to the Scotland set-up.
And Latics boss Martinez said: "International football is something he needs to think about with his family. It is something very, very deep."
Sly Scots i wonder when that started
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/2011/02...6908-22914662/
Republic of Ireland star James McCarthy: There was never the slightest chance of me switching to Scotland
Feb 11 2011 By James Traynor
JAMES McCARTHY will NOT be joining Craig Levein's Scotland revival.
The Wigan star is standing by his decision to play for the Republic of Ireland rather than the land of his birth.
In fact, sources close to the 20-year-old stressed last night there was never any chance of him changing his mind despite fevered speculation he was about to perform a sensational U-turn.
But Scotland were given hope of a change of heart when McCarthy was withdrawn from Ireland's squad ahead of their Carling Nations Cup tie against Wales on Tuesday night.
The Republic's manager Giovanni Trapattoni then demanded Glasgow boy McCarthy, who qualifies for Ireland under the grandparent agreement, make a decision.
"He must choose," the Italian insisted. "He plays for Ireland or he plays for Scotland."
Levein wouldn't be drawn on the matter after Scotland's 3-0 win against Northern Ireland on Wednesday night but it's no secret the Scots have been trying to persuade McCarthy to think again.
Even his Wigan manager Roberto Martinez added to the intrigue yesterday when he said the player faces "a very, very deep decision".
But sources close to the midfielder immediately pointed out there is no chance of that, saying: "James is not having second thoughts. He has chosen Ireland and is far too honourable to switch."
It was finally revealed yesterday it was Martinez who decided McCarthy should not join the Irish squad because he has only recently recovered from an ankle injury.
The ex-Hamilton player has come through four matches but Martinez doesn't want his young star to do too much too soon.
Wigan's boss said: "He could not have coped with the physical demands. We sent a report to the Republic medical staff and I spoke to Mr Trapattoni."
McCarthy has made one senior appearance for the Republic - in a friendly against Brazil.
He will have to play in a competitive match to confirm his nationality so far as football is concerned and the sooner the better, according to the sources.
"We lost because we didn't win"- Ronaldo
the whole drama could of been avoided if trap just had of rang the chap
More insight from GreenScene:
http://greenscene.me/2011/02/james-m...nt-to-ireland/
Last paragraph:
While some may have expected McCarthy himself to come out and speak to journalists directly, the youngster has always preferred Gray to speak to the media, allowing McCarthy to focus fully on his football. When he was at Hamilton, he preferred to let Gray talk about any speculation regarding his future and a potential move to Celtic or the Premier League. “I leave it to my advisor George Gray to deal with it because I just want to concentrate on football,” McCarthy said in December 2007. “It’s good to be mentioned in the papers about who wants me and this and that. And, yeah, sometimes I might be lying in bed thinking about what might happen but I’ve got to focus on my football and not let the talk get to me.”
That's the end of that so. Thank Christ
There's not one piece of argument for or against in that article though. Just quotes from Martinez and Caldwell, and then a line at the end saying "oh wait, it's not true".Originally Posted by Duggie
The George Gray stuff, on the other hand, is great to hear.
Woohoo and deja vu..........werent we here sometime last year?!?!
In a way I feel sorry for the lad, but the reality is until he is fully capped in a competitive match, any time he pulls out of an international, the media will feed off this story. Trap sort it out please. There is no reason whatsoever to doubt the lad, he has shown more commitment to Ireland than some Irish born lads. I for one am looking forward to this lad developing into a world class player for us, fingers crossed!!!
I actually think he should start in central midfield v Macedonia as he is a better player than any we have in that position based on his club form. However I expect he won't and appreciate he will probably have to prove himself in friendlies first. It would be great if he did play some part in the game and finally end the speculation.
If only we could serve him his cap on his doorstep, like a warrant.
Tardelli: Hello, could I speak to Mr McCarthy please? I'm with British Gas.
R. Punter: Oh hi, you're here at last. The boiler's only been on fire for a fortnight. JAMES!
McCarthy: Hello? Oh good. Could you shut off the gas for a minute while we put the fire out?
Tardelli: Here you go.
McCarthy: What's this?
Tardelli: You just played in a 3-0 win over Macedonia. Also, you're to appear in court next month. Manuela Spinelli is suing you for child support.
McCarthy: Macedonia? What? I've never slept with...
Tardelli: In Macedonia, she alleges.
McCarthy: I don't even know where that is.
Tardelli: You should ask Jason McAteer.
The comments written at the end are pretty rude (to say the least)
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/2011/02...6908-22914662/
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/footbal...6908-22913228/
The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist thinks it will change; the realist adjusts the sails.
it looks from all reports today that hes with us and thats that which is great for us. this whole weeks media speculation should and could have been avoided though.
Did anyone else put on an italian accent for the first line?
I'm a bloke,I'm an ocker
And I really love your knockers,I'm a labourer by day,
I **** up all me pay,Watching footy on TV,
Just feed me more VB,Just pour my beer,And get my smokes, And go away
yes and a scottish accent for james..hahaa
That guy spouting about the banks hasn't a clue. Although there are lots of people in that boat, not just those posters from scotland
I'm a bloke,I'm an ocker
And I really love your knockers,I'm a labourer by day,
I **** up all me pay,Watching footy on TV,
Just feed me more VB,Just pour my beer,And get my smokes, And go away
Ya I thought Noely had actually put a few "a"s after words
i cant do a scottish accent so that didnt work
I'm a bloke,I'm an ocker
And I really love your knockers,I'm a labourer by day,
I **** up all me pay,Watching footy on TV,
Just feed me more VB,Just pour my beer,And get my smokes, And go away
Good to hear from a proper source. However all could have been avoided and as long as james is not capped this could well crop up again in a few months. How many times over the last couple of years has his camp had to come out and deny he was switching back?
I remember when Mcgeady broke onto the scene there was an uproar in the scots media over his decision to go with us. He still wasn't tied down but first opportunity we got he was on off the bench for 5 mins in some end of season Jamaica(?) game in a symbolic 'hands off he is ours' gesture. We could have been calling up James for ages now in a similar fashion.
Also some of the guff attributed to Trap and Shay this week has been a balls-up. 'he's our player and will very soon have a great career with Ireland' should have been the party line.
Hopefully its all set up for McCarthy to score the winner against Scotland in May.
Quoting years at random since 1975
Posting Permissions
Bookmarks