Stephen Ireland

[Manblue]

I don't think anyone can begrudge someone trying to get the most out of a club. He's signed a contract and wants a payoff. Par for the course and I'd be looking for a payout as well.

Was expecting a few people to rip into him but fairly mature response on here, well played lads...now that I've said this, I expect some morons to come on here and let 'er rip on poor old Stevie...

Has been training with the reserves for last 2 wks, mancini and/or hierarchy hoping he will spit the dummy to get a quick deal but has proved resilient thus far, suspect it is likely to cause unrest amongst other players when they see how Ireland and bellamy have been treated by not bowing down and doing exactly what the club want them to do, and others may feel if they become surplus to requirement this may be in store for them.
Both have behaved very professionally in my opinion however will be interesting interviews after both leave on the subject i would suspect

[Razors left peg]

Heard a story earlier that is almost guaranteed to be rubish but I would love if it was true...

Not long after Mancini took over he approached Steven Ireland on the training ground and asked him if he had a row with Trapattoni or anyone else in the Irish camp.Ireland said no so then Mancini asked why he wasnt playing for his country so. Ireland just said it was because he didnt want to, and with that Mancini just turned and walked away with him without saying another word. And thats the reason Mancini has seemed not to rate him since

I have no clue where the bloke got the story from so I would say I would be 99% sure its not true................. but I really really want it to be

[Stuttgart88]

Didn't Ireland say that Trap only approached him to make himself look good? A respectful captain like Mancini knows that you don't diss the Don.

[geysir]

Mancini knows Trap is the elder, he is the untouchable one.

SI might wake up some morning with the head of a shark next to him, if he's not careful.

[tetsujin1979]

forced to train with the reserves again yesterday as punishment for the exit payment demands: http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereven...n_cold_by_city

[Noelys Guitar]

Not dull at City. Does anyone know if Richard Dunne got a payoff from City when he moved to Aston Villa? I can remember a hold up to that transfer as well. I have a feeling that Mancini will lose this particular battle with Ireland. Ireland strikes me as someone who could quite easily languish in the reserves collecting his wages.

[SwanVsDalton]

Almost 100% confirmed he's off to Villa: http://www.skysports.com/story/0,195...317838,00.html

[drummerboy]

Ironic that Kevin McDonald was part of the Irish set up that SI told his porkies to. McDonald may even be in with a chance of the job fulltime. He obviously doesn't bear grudges.

[Wolfie]

Kevin MacDonald would know Stephen Ireland to a certain degree from the International squad from when he was Stan's assistant.

[Wolfie]

Ironic that Kevin McDonald was part of the Irish set up that SI told his porkies to. McDonald may even be in with a chance of the job fulltime. He obviously doesn't bear grudges.

Got there before me, drummerboy!!!!!!

[Manblue]

cant be confirmed until after medical

[The Fly]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2...anchester-city

[SwanVsDalton]

Ironic that Kevin McDonald was part of the Irish set up that SI told his porkies to. McDonald may even be in with a chance of the job fulltime. He obviously doesn't bear grudges.

I'm not sure McDonald will know that much about it and doubt he'd have any opportunity to voice any dissent even if he wanted to. Surely is ironic though. If McDonald gets the job full-time he might have a little 'clear-the-air' before Ireland even gets on the pitch

[OneRedArmy]

cant be confirmed until after medical

Does the medical include mental health?

[shakermaker1982]

Does the medical include mental health?

It would be brilliant if they did!

Bellamy, Ireland and Barton would be struggling.

[shakermaker1982]

Just watching the Trap on SSN

He still wants Ireland. Door is still open.

[backstothewall]

Putting my Villa hat on for a second, I reckon we have swapped 2 players of roughly similar ability. Its just that City have been mug enough to send £20m along with theirs. Fools and their money....

[seanfhear]

Stephen should tell city that his back from the dead grannys can only be happy again when he plays for city.

It will take a large sum of money to appease the once wronged grannies and that he has no alternative but to exact the lagest compensation possible to satiate the fairy grandmothers.

Alternatively he can say that he has the direct opposite feelings to playing for city as he has for playing for Ireland and that a large amont of wonga would be the only compensation that could bring him to stop playing for city !

[Sullivinho]

Putting my Villa hat on for a second, I reckon we have swapped 2 players of roughly similar ability. Its just that City have been mug enough to send £20m along with theirs. Fools and their money....

'Bargain' doesn't begin to describe it. Milner on his day is a very good player but Milner = (Stephen Ireland + 20 million)? Hilarious.

And when asked if the deal would also involve Ireland, Mancini added: "I hope so."

[elroy]

Poor Richie Dunne, he thought he had managed to get away from that clown and all the media questions that will likely go with it.

When you consider what City have paid for milner versus what Real have paid for Ozil, it shows how overinflated the english players are.