Stephen Ireland pulls out of squad

**ruben_sosa** · 09/10/2007, 9:40 PM

i'd say he doesn't want to face the other irish lads in the squad after the daddy dick story.

**mypost** · 09/10/2007, 9:42 PM

After the episode last month, he should have been banned from playing for us ever again. His problems don't affect his Manchester City games. He has withdrawn voluntarily from 3 Ireland games, and it's time that we looked at other options, players who will bust a gut to play for their country.

**Cosmo** · 09/10/2007, 9:48 PM

Originally Posted by reder

If the lad is having problems then he should be left alone in Manc to deal with them. He lost his baby (probably his first) not so long ago and that would take its toll on the best of us and would certainly knock me for 6 for quite a while. In truth, playing in 2 meaningless international games would be pretty insignificant if you were in that situation.

I'd go along with that especially with whats staunton (pr!ck) has said about it!! (and nobody including me knows all the facts so we can only give an opinion on what we think is happening ie is he not bothering playing or is theres something personally going on with him)

Good luck to him, his head seems to be appeared to be all over the gaf at the moment - hope he sorts himself out soon - not for his footablling abolity for his own self

**Ceirtlis** · 10/10/2007, 12:24 AM

If he wanted to pull out to stay at home with his family he should have just said so, i think people would understand like they did last month when the original thing happened. Saying he couldnt do himself justice is a kiss my arse effort especially when he has played well for Man City in the last few weeks and it leads to exactly the sort of reaction that ya see here. Is there anyone advising this fella?

**Kivlehan** · 10/10/2007, 2:48 AM

If he's pulling out of the squad, his head and heart wouldn't be in the games, so better to give someone like Liam Miller who is on good form in the Premiership an opportunity.

**shakermaker1982** · 10/10/2007, 6:38 AM

Originally Posted by Patrick Dunne

I would find it very suprising that anyone who is suffering from severe
depression could play in a high intensity Premiership match in front of 40,000
people.

Neil Lennon did it.

**ifk101** · 10/10/2007, 6:49 AM

Why was he called up to the squad in the first place? If Stan knew there was problems and Ireland didn't want to be with the squad at this time, then why did he pick him? This latest withdrawal only makes things worse in the long-run because there's only going to be a greater media attention on him at future dates.

I obviously don't know the ins and outs of Ireland's personal life but it seems to me that he is just "afraid to face the music" and get his ego hurt.

**elroy** · 10/10/2007, 8:18 AM

Well Stan appears to have 'grudges' with other players for next to nothing, so i dont expect to see Ireland in the squad for a good while to come.

**ruben_sosa** · 10/10/2007, 8:57 AM

Originally Posted by ruben_sosa

i'd say he doesn't want to face the other irish lads in the squad after the daddy dick story.

from Today's Indo.

"While it eventually emerged that the reason for his shock exit was a miscarriage suffered by his girlfriend, one of the more persistent mumblings was that the player was not exactly enamoured with some of the banter in the camp. Particularly when it was aimed in his direction."

**noby** · 10/10/2007, 9:09 AM

Originally Posted by ifk101

Why was he called up to the squad in the first place? If Stan knew there was problems and Ireland didn't want to be with the squad at this time, then why did he pick him?

My thoughts exactly. Not to shift the 'blame' onto Stan, but surely between the three of them (including SGE) this could have been ironed out in private, before the squad was announced.

**btid1** · 10/10/2007, 9:43 AM

Originally Posted by shakermaker1982

Neil Lennon did it.

He also played for his country through it!!

**lionelhutz** · 10/10/2007, 9:59 AM

Originally Posted by shakermaker1982

Neil Lennon did it.

Nicolas Anelka has been doing it all his life

**BradyIsMyHero** · 10/10/2007, 10:21 AM

David O'Leary was thrown out by Jack for missing what looked like a meaningless friendly at the time, and took a long long time to get back in. Harsh on O'Leary, but after that, everybody showed up for games - they knew who was boss.

If Stan is to show any leadership as to who is "the gaffer", he should never have picked Stephen Ireland for the current squad, after his antics last time out (personsal problems or no personal problems), and let it be known publicly

**Eire06** · 10/10/2007, 10:21 AM

Originally Posted by lionelhutz

Nicolas Anelka has been doing it all his life

Paul McGrath too - Who regularly went missing without any excuses or apologies, yet was welcomed back with open arms every time.

Look leave the lad alone, he made his decision for whatever reason, its his own personal choice if he wants to play or not.
YA he's let people down but I'm sure we'll all get over it, enough of the witch hunt and the personal abuse directed at him.

**BradyIsMyHero** · 10/10/2007, 10:26 AM

Does Stephen Ireland have the same "problems" as Paul McGrath?

**Sligo Hornet** · 10/10/2007, 10:26 AM

Originally Posted by Eire06

Paul McGrath too - Who regularly went missing without any excuses or apologies, yet was welcomed back with open arms every time.

Look leave the lad alone, he made his decision for whatever reason, its his own personal choice if he wants to play or not.
YA he's let people down but I'm sure we'll all get over it, enough of the witch hunt and the personal abuse directed at him.

I more or less agree with you....initially I was annoyed and disappointed, but now I am getting bored with the whole story and realise we have to carry on without him

**old git** · 10/10/2007, 10:28 AM

Originally Posted by Eire06

Paul McGrath too - Who regularly went missing without any excuses or apologies, yet was welcomed back with open arms every time.

Look leave the lad alone, he made his decision for whatever reason, its his own personal choice if he wants to play or not.
YA he's let people down but I'm sure we'll all get over it, enough of the witch hunt and the personal abuse directed at him.

stephen ireland not fit to lace paul mc graths boots .... leave the legend alone..

**elroy** · 10/10/2007, 10:28 AM

I think what annoys more than most is that the vast majority of us here would give anything to play five mins in the green jersey however more and more of our current squad are giving me the impression that they couldnt give two fcuks about representing their country.