Stephen Ireland

**geysir** · 15/06/2009, 5:29 PM

I bumped into a posse of the (senior) Dutch fans at their hotel bar after their game in Iceland. We had a good long chat about all matters football. After some time I said, of course the Dutch master I respect most was Van Gaal. That was a conversation stopper, after what seemed an eternity one of them finally said - you must be Irish or mad.

**SkStu** · 15/06/2009, 5:41 PM

to which you replied "both", i assume...

**geysir** · 15/06/2009, 7:12 PM

In certain circumstances, for survival purposes, it's usefull to encourage more than a bit of unpredictable mad doubt,

**onthenoodlesham** · 15/06/2009, 8:36 PM

so what happened then?

**Green Paddy** · 22/06/2009, 11:36 AM

Sunday Star were quoting Stephen Ireland yesterday in which he confirmed that he is meeting with Trapattoni in the next few weeks.

**Uncle_Joe** · 22/06/2009, 11:49 AM

Is it that time of month already? I didnt think we were due another "Ireland wants to come back!" non-story for at least another week??

**Superhoops** · 22/06/2009, 12:53 PM

Originally Posted by Green Paddy

Sunday Star were quoting Stephen Ireland yesterday in which he confirmed that he is meeting with Trapattoni in the next few weeks.

Must be the earliest he can fit Trap into his busy schedule what with Slane, holidays and all that

**Noelys Guitar** · 22/06/2009, 1:00 PM

Originally Posted by Superhoops

Must be the earliest he can fit Trap into his busy schedule what with Slane, holidays and all that

Here is the article. Fairly vague stuff.
http://www.herald.ie/sport/soccer/ir...n-1783601.html

**Wolfie** · 22/06/2009, 1:12 PM

"Only last week, Ireland was photographed in a UK newspaper going through a tough training regime with a martial arts expert in Glossop, Derbyshire, as the Cobh man is keen to be fully fit for the start of the new season".

Take note Stephen Hunt.

A follically challenged man sporting Superman Pants may challenge you to a Martial Arts duel soon...........................

**tetsujin1979** · 22/06/2009, 1:38 PM

Originally Posted by Wolfie

"Only last week, Ireland was photographed in a UK newspaper going through a tough training regime with a martial arts expert in Glossop, Derbyshire, as the Cobh man is keen to be fully fit for the start of the new season".

That's this article from the Manchester Evening News: http://www.manchestereveningnews.co....training__pics

**Newryrep** · 22/06/2009, 2:46 PM

Originally Posted by Wolfie

"Only last week, Ireland was photographed in a UK newspaper going through a tough training regime with a martial arts expert in Glossop, Derbyshire, as the Cobh man is keen to be fully fit for the start of the new season".

Take note Stephen Hunt.

A follically challenged man sporting Superman Pants may challenge you to a Martial Arts duel soon...........................

Probably hoping for an audition for a Kung Fu remake now that David Carradine has met his maker - he has the hairstyle

**Serb** · 22/06/2009, 3:52 PM

How many people here wouldn't want to do this to Stephen Ireland?

**Noelys Guitar** · 22/06/2009, 4:00 PM

Originally Posted by Serb

How many people here wouldn't want to do this to Stephen Ireland?

Trap hires Ross Kemp to make Ireland come back shocker!

**as_i_say** · 22/06/2009, 4:03 PM

His trainer looks like a white, bald version of Stephen Reid!

**Superhoops** · 22/06/2009, 4:13 PM

Originally Posted by Noelys Guitar

Here is the article. Fairly vague stuff.
http://www.herald.ie/sport/soccer/ir...n-1783601.html

"I will be thinking about it over the summer"

"I spoke to Giovanni Trapattoni three weeks ago so we are going to meet up soon and see how it goes.

"But yeah, I am going to have a long, hard think about it. We'll see. I've had a good think about it already so we'll see what happens when I meet up with Trapattoni"

What is there to think about??? Doesn't sound like someone who has the desire to represent his country.

I hope Trapattoni has more dignity than to go cap in hand to this toe-rag.

**Fergie's Son** · 22/06/2009, 4:21 PM

Those quotes, if real, really puts his commitment in further doubt. I'd be very wary of bringing a player with this sort of attitude back into the fold.

**Razors left peg** · 22/06/2009, 4:56 PM

Originally Posted by Noelys Guitar

Trap hires Ross Kemp to make Ireland come back shocker!

quality

**Razors left peg** · 22/06/2009, 5:02 PM

If Andy Reid is serious about trying to make it back into the squad for the world cup then he could do worse than take a leaf out of Steven Irelands book. Whatever his attitude towards the Irish team you have to admire his dedication to working hard to make himself into as good a player as he can be. If Andy Reid went on a similar fitness program during the close season it could do wonders for him